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Tie MiipD Sctool MoJmtor. 

Official Organ of the State Department of Public Instruction, 

AND OF 

The State Teachers' Association, 

The Michigan Schoolmasters' Club, 

City Superintendents' Association, 

The County Examiners' Associatioi^. 



A PAPER FOR EVE RY GRADE OF SCHOOL WORK. 

C^r\r\ LARGE PAGES, full of good things for Teachers of 
l^llll every grade. It gives varied reading and more of it for the 
money than any other educational journal. 

Heartily Indorsed and Supported by Michigan Teachers, 



Semi-Monthly, 20 Numbers per year of 32 pp. Each, $ 1 .50 

Send for sample copy and club rates. 

HENRY R. PATTENGILL, Editor and Publisher, 

Lansing, Michigan. 

NIICHIGAN 

GEOGRAPHIGflLB HISTORICAL CARDS. 



All Excellent Way of Teaching our History and Geography 

AT ODD HOURS. 

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY CARDS CONTAINING MORE THAN 

500 Interesting p^^tS fibodt /T)iel?i(jan. 

An Interesting and Instructive Game. Full directions with each hox. 



WITH THE MODERATOR ONB YEAR, $1.73. 

Address, H. R. PATTENGILL, Lansing, Mich. 



TIP-TOP PIECES 



FOR 



THE LITTLE FOLKS 



SUITABLE FOR 



Day School, Sunday School, or Home 

Entertainments. • 




COMPILED BY H. RcTPATTENGILL, 

Editor Michigan School Moderator, author of Civil Government 

of Michigan, Manual of Orthography, Michigan 

Historical and Geographical Cards. 



LANSING, MICH., 

H. R. PATTENGTLL, PUBLISHER. 

OCT 4 '890jj Y 






D. D. THORP, PRINTER AND BINDER, 
LANSING, MICH. 



Copyright, 1890, 

BY 

Henry R. Pattengill. 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Advice - 95 

After a While. _ _.. 14 

Ambitious Kangaroo — The 103 

Anatomy — A Little Study in _ _ 100 

Aspiration. 96 

Be Firm 78 

Be Good 52 

Be in Time _._ ._ 82 

Best Beauty— The _ __. 101 

Better Way— The 21 

Blow, Wind, Blow 88 

Boy For Me— The 92 

Boy Heroes _ 97 

Boy's Dream. 32 

Boys, Keep Your Record Clean 87 

Boys Make Men 68 

Boy's Plea— A 79 

Boy's Pocket— A 24 

Boys Wanted _ 86 

Boy to the Schoolmaster — The 1 

Can and Will 72 

Charlie's Opinion _ 9 

Chinese Puzzle 67 

Christmas Eve 4 

Christmas Time _ 9 



IV IKDEX. 

Page. 

Chubby Cheek _. 57 

Clever Maxim_ _ 21 

Chister of Nevers— A... _ _ 20 

Cracked- 34 

Dear Little School-Ma'am _ _ . 5 

December _ _. 3 

Der Spider und der Fly 98 

Dinner Time 26 

Diplomacy. _ __ 83 

Dog and the Bee— The 56 

Donation Party— The _ 84 

Drill— The- _ 33 

Drink and Danger. 17 

Easter Greeting 104 

Ella Wheeler's Best 46 

Farmer-^The 8 

For a Little Girl 50 

For Memorizing 84 

For Very Little Boys _. _ _ 63 

George Washington. _ 103 

Getting Acquainted.. 8 

Going Back to School _ 37 

Good Advice... 98 

Good Company 46 

Grandma's Advice. _ 32 

Grown-Up Land.. 60 

Hard Times 37 

Health Alphabet 27 

Honest Old Toad— The.. - 10 

How We Wash Our Clothes _ 29 

Hum — um — um — _-. 15 

I'll be a Man _ 3 

Introduction Speech — An 85 



IXDEX. Y 

Page. 

It Never Comes Again .- 48 

^^ It's Nothing to Me" _ 94 

Learn a Little Every Day. _ _ _ _ 90 

Lesson in Geography 28 

Let the Sunshine In._ _ _ 88 

Life in Six Acts...- 66 

Life is What we Make It... 36 

Lift a Little 22 

Little Boys' Troubles 23 

Little Dilly Dally 73 

Little Foxes and Little Hunters 19 

Little House Keepers. 6 

Little Midget... _ 54 

Little Teacher _.. 61 

Little Things.... 49 

Little Things— The 77 

March _ 64 

Marching Song 53 

Mind Cure _ 86 

Mud Pies. 57 

My Kitten 54 

My Stocking _ __ 41 

My Time Table... . 39 

Neat Little Girl— A 49 

New Year's Chimes _ 69 

No Surrender _ 69 

Obey Your Mother 51 

Old Sayings.. 81 

Old Shoes..-. _ 76 

Old Trundle Bed.. 75 

Only.. 79 

Only One _ _ 79 

Our Daily Reckoning _ _ . _ 91 



VI IKDEX. 

Page. 

Our Heroes.-- _ 

Playing School 57 

Poem Without an E 89 

Pouting Girl — A 55 

Quarrel — A - _ 94 

Queer Scholars - 66- 

Questions.- _ 40 

Keceipt — A 16 

Eecitation for a Small Boy _ - 102 

Reminding the Hen 91 

Resolutions for a Child. 53 

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day„ 70 

Rulers of England in Rhyme 18 

Santa Claus 11 

Secret with Santa Claus- 42 

Sleepy Little School. 80 

Small Boy's Speech - 31 

Something For Children to Do 45 

Song of the Cooper.. 25 

Song of the Flowers 65 

Speech for a Little Boy 52 

Speech for a Little Girl 49 

Speak the Truth 50 

Stolen Custard : 58 

Temperance 39 

Temperance. 93 

Ten Little Boys Went to School 64 

That Boy.... 59 

That Dreadful Boy. 12 

'Tis the Merry Christmas Time- - 3 

Toast— A - 97 

To-day and To-morrow 40 

Total Annihilation - 42 



IKDEX. Vll 

Page. 

Trouble Ahead 44 

Troubles 6 

Two Little Old Ladies 44 

Two Ways— The 21 

Umbrella Man— The 24 

Watch Your Words- 71 

We AU Like Sheep- 35 

What and Where 50 

What Are You Sowing 17 

What Bessie is Good For _ 47 

What Small Things May Do 96 

What Should Little Children Learn_ - 30 

WhenI AmBig._ _ 51 

When I'm a Man _ 30 

Which Side Are You On _ 43 

Will She _ 70 

Wise Mother— The 56 

Wise Scholar's Alphabet 74 

Work _... _. 51 



TIP TOP PIEGES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 



The Boy to tlie Schoolmaster. 

You've quizzed me often and puzzled me long, 

You've asked me to cipher and spell. 
You've called me a dunce if I answered you wrong, 

Or a dolt if I failed to tell 
Just when to say lie and when to say lay, 

Or what nine sevens may make. 
Or the longitude of Kamschatka Bay, 

Or the I-forget- what's its name lake ; 
So I think it's about my turn, I do. 

To ask a question or so of you. 

The schoolmaster grim, he opened his eyes, 
But said not a word for sheer surprise. 

Can you tell what " phen-dubs" means? I can. 

Can you say all off by heart 
The " onery twoery ickery ann," 

Or tell " alleys" and " commons" apart ? 
Can you fling a top, I would like to know. 

Till it hums like a bumble-bee ? 
Can you make a kite yourself that will go 

'Most as high as the eye can see, 
Till it sails and soars like a hawk on the wing 
And the little birds come and light on its string ? 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

ITie school-master looked, oh! very demure, 
But his mouth was twitching, I'm almost sure. 

Can you teU where the nest of the oriole swings, 

Or the color its eggs may be ? 
Do you know the time when the squirrel brings 

Its young from their nest in the trees ? 
Can you tell when the chestnuts are ready to drop. 

Or where the best hazel-nuts grow ? 
Can you climb a high tree to the very tip-top. 

Then gaze without trembling below ? 
Can you swim and dive, can you jump and run. 
Or do anything else we boys call fun ? 

The master's voice trembled as he replied : 

'^ You are right, my lad, I'm the dunce," he sighed. 



Troubles. 

There's many a trouble 

Would break like a bubble, 
And into the waters of Lethe depart. 

Did we not rehearse it, 

And tenderly nurse it, 
And give it permanent place in the heart. 

There's many a sorrow 

Would vanish to-morrow. 
Were we but willing to furnish the wings; 

So sadly intruding, 

And quietly brooding, 
It^hatches out all sorts of terrible things. 



i 



TIP TOP PIECES FOK LITTLE FOLKS. 

December. 

December, oh, December dear, 
We know your laughing face, 
And who that jolly fellow is 
J "Who drives at such a pace. 

The prancing deer, the jingling bells. 
The sleigh with toys heaped high, 

Proclaim to every child on earth 
That dear St. Nick is nigh. 

— L, B. C. in the Nursery, 



1^11 be a Man. 

I'm but a httle fellow now. 
Between three feet and four, 

But if I keep growing fast, 
I'll soon be three feet more. 

A tippler I will never be. 

No drop my lips will pass, 
I'll sign the true teetotal pledge. 

And keep it to the last. 

With knowledge I must store my mind, 

For though I'm e'er so tall. 
If I am rude and ignorant, 

I shall be very small. 



^Tis the Merry Christmas Time. 

'Tis the Merry Christmas eve, 
And our hearts are gay and light; 



TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Eing the happy, happy chimes, 
Santa Claus will come tonight ! 

Long ago, in Bethlehem, 

Shepherds watched the night away; 
Night of joy to waiting earth, 

Christ was born on Christmas day. 

He brought peace, good- will to men; 

So in merry Christmas rhyme, 
Santa Claus brings children joys 

At the happy Christmas time. 

— Strauh's Christmas Cantata, 



Christmas Eve. 

One hour in all the year is sweet, 

And passing sweet the rest beside; 
When loving friends, long parted, meet. 
And hearts with wealth of welcome beat, 
At Christmas tide. 

Dear Christmas eve ! when love is strong, 

And strife and falsehood pass away. 
And kindly actions round us throngs 
And memories of ancient wrong 
Die out for aye. 

And yet in this wide world I know 

There must be always some who grieve. 
Who all unloved, unloving go. 
Or sit enthroned amid their woe. 
On Christmas eve. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

God grant to hearts thus overcast 
Such love and joy as we receive, 
That, free from spectres of the past, 
They, too, may find sweet peace at last. 
On Christmas eve. 



A Dear Little School-Ma'am. 

With her funny little glasses you'd have thought her very wise 
If it wasn't for the laughter that was peeping from her eyes; 
Just the queerest and the dearest little school-ma'am ever known, 
"Whose way of teaching boys and girls was certainly her own. 

^'I give my brightest pupil," in a pleasant tone she said, 
'*A Uttle corner by himself to show that he is head, 
And, to spare the tender feelings of the dullest boy, I put 
All the others in a circle so you can't tell which is foot. 

** Whenever any pupil in the lessons doesn't miss, 
I encourage his endeavors with a penny sugar-kiss; 
And, since this slight upon the rest might too severely fall, 
I take the box of kisses and I hand 'em round to all. 

*'I've asked them what they'd like to be a dozen times or more, 
And each, I find, intends when grown to keep a candy store; 
So, thinking that they ought to have some knowledge of their 

trade, 
I've put a little store in, just to show them how it's made. 

** Enthusiastic? Bless you, it's wonderful to see 

How interested in such things a little child can be; 

And, from their tempting taffy and their luscious lollipops, 

I'm sure they'll do me credit when they come to open shops." 



6 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE POLKS. 

And, with a nod that plainly showed how free she was from 

doubt, 
She deftly smoothed the wrinkles of her snowy apron out — 
Just the queerest and the dearest little school-ma'am ever 

. known, 
Whose way of teaching boys and girls was really her own! 

— St. Nicholas, 



Trust. 

Build a little fence of trust 

Around to-day; 

Fill the space with loving work, 

And therein stay. 

Look out from the sheltering bars 

Upon to-morrow; 

God will give you grace to bear whatever may come 

Of joy or sorrow. 



Concert Recitation— ^^ Little Housekeepers/^ 

[By Several Girls.] 

Busy and happy young housewives are we; 

Not very big specimens — that you can see — 

But we've just the same housework of all kinds to do 

That the big, grown-up housekeepers have to go through. 

Since Monday is wash-day, all the world round, 
At the wash-tub on Monday, we're sure to be found. 



TIP TOP PIECHS FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 7 

We rub Dolly's clothes till they're pure as the snow, (1) 
Then we rinse them, and wring them, and hang them up 
so. (2) 

On Tuesday the ironing has to be done, 

So we sprinkle and fold (3) — that's the part that is fun ! 

And we smooth out the wrinkles with our irons thus, you 

see. 

Rubbing backward and forward, till they're smooth as can 
be. (4.) 

On Wednesday we bake — and oh! 'tis such fun 
To knead the soft dough — ^this is how it is done. (5) 
For our cakes, we must have just the finest of dust, 
Then our pies — this is how we roll out the crust. (6) 

On Thursday there's nothing especial to do. 
So we do odds and ends — darn stockings or sew, (7) 
But on Friday, with brooms we make the dust fly 
As we sweep the house o'er, where'er dirt we espy. (8) 

And at last, when Saturday comes — oh dear ! dear ! 
We're busy as any grown folks ever were ; 
We clean, and we scrub, and we brew and we bake, (9) 
Then our week's work all done, Sunday rest we can take. 

1. Make the motion of rubbing up and down, as on a wash-board in 
washing. 

2. Make the motion of wringing clothes by hand, and then reaching 
np, to hang them on the line. 

3. Motion sprinkling. 

4. Using the right hand, move smoothly left and right, left and 
right, etc. 

5. Move alternately the double fists up and down as in kneading 
dough. 

6. Use both hands, making a smoothing motion. 

7. Motion of sticking a needle in and out. 

8. Holding the hands as though holding a broom, making a sweeping 
motion. 

9. Count off with the right hand, on the fingers of the left, each item. 
— From the Kindergarten, by Miss Emily Huntington, 



8 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

The Farmer. 

[For Several Boys.] 
This is the way the happy farmer (1) 

Plows his piece of ground, 
That from the httle seeds he sows 

A large crop may abound. 

This is the way he sows his seed, (2) 

Dropping with careful hand. 
In all the furrows well prepared 

Upon the fertile land. 

This is the way he cuts the grain (3) 

When bending with its weight, 
And thus he bundles it in sheaves, (4) 

Working long and late. 
And then the grain he threshes thus, (5) 

And stores away to keep; 
And thus he stands contentedly (6) 

And views the plenteous heap. 

1. Aims extended forward as though holding a plow. 

2. A motion as of taking seed out of a bag or basket, and scattering 
with the right hand. 

3. Motion as of cutting with a scythe. 

4. Arms curved and extending forward. 

5. Hands as though^grasping a jlail. Strike with some force. 

6. Erect position, arms folded, or hands on the hips. 



Gretting Acquainted. 

I got acquainted very quick 
With Teddy Brown, when he 

Moved in the house across the street, 
The nearest one you see. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

I climbed and sat upon a post 

To look, and so did he; 
I stared and stared across at him 

And he stared back at me. 

I s'posed he wanted me to speak. 

I thought I'd try and see — 
I said, "Hello!" to Teddy Brown; 

He said, "Hello!" to me. 

— Sydney Dayre, in St. Nicholas. 



Charlie's Opinion. 

There's such comfort in a chisel 
And such music in a file! 

I wish that little pocket saws, 
Would get to be the style! 

My kite may fly up in a tree, 
My sled be stuck in mud; 

And all my hopes of digging wells 
Be nipped off in the bud; 

But with a little box of nails, 

A gimlet and a screw, 
I'm happier than any king; 

I've work enough to do. 



Christmas Time. 

Do you know the olden story 
Of the Star that led the way. 

When the wise men sought the Infant, 
That in Bethlehem's manger lay? 



10 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

In the East it shone so brightly, 

Then o'er Judah's hillside steep, 
Where the shepherds lay in slumber 

By their flocks of quiet shaep. 

Have you heard how angel voices 
Sang the sweet and solemn strain? 

Glory in the Highest! Glory! 
Peace on earth, good will to men! 

Every year the wond'rous story 

Thrills our spirits with delight. 
And that star through all the ages 

Makes the world's dark pathway bright. 

Sinful Uves grow purer, better 

For the Babe so meek and mild, 
For the children's Infant Saviour, 

Who in Bethlehem's manger smiled. 

To the parents, to the children 

Comes the sweet, angelic strain, — 
Glory in the Highest! Glory! 

Peace on earth, good will to men! 

— Mrs. F, Spangenberg. 



The Honest Old Toad. 

Oh, a queer little chap is the honest old toad, 

A funny old fellow is he; 
Living under the stone by the side of the road, 

'Neath the shade of the old willow tree. 
He is dressed all in brown from his toe to his crown. 

Save his vest that is silvery white. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 11 

He takes a long nap in the heat of the day, 
And walks in the cool dewy night, 
'^ Raup, yaup," says the frog, 
From his home in the bog, 
But the toad he says never a word; 
He tries to be good, Like the children who should 
Be seen, but never be heard. 

When winter draws near, Mr. Toad goes to bed, 

And sleeps just as sound as a top; 
But when May blossoms follow soft April showers, 

He comes out with a skip, jump, and hop ; 
He changes his dress only once, I confess, — 

Every spring; and his old worn-out coat. 
With trousers and waistcoat, he rolls in a ball,- 

And stuffs the whole thing down his throat. 

** K-rruk, k-rruk," says the frog, 
From his home in the bog; 
But the toad he says never a word; 
He tries to be good, like the children who should 
Be seen, but never be heard. 



Santa Claus. 



BY JOHN H. YATES. 

He comes in the night! He comes in the night! 

He softly, silently comes; 
When the little brown heads, on their pillows so white, 

Are dreaming of bugles and drums; 
He cuts through the snow, like a ship through the foam, 

While the white flakes around him whirl; 
Who tells him? I know not; he findeth the home 

Of each good Uttle boy and girl. 



12 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE POLKS. 

His sleigh is long, and deep, and wide; 

It will carry a^host of things; 
While dozens of drums hang around, on the side, 

With the sticks sticking under the strings; 
And yet not the sound of a drum is heard, — 

Not a bugle blast is blown. — 
As he mounts to the chimney-tops Hke a bird 

And pops down in like a stone. 

The little red stockings he silently fiUs, 

Till the stockings will hold no more; 
The bright little sleds for the great snow hills 

Are quickly let down to the floor; 
Then Santa Claus mounts to the roof like a bird 

And glides to'his seat in the sleigh; 
Not the sound of a bugle or drum is heard, 

As he noiselessly moves away. 

He rides to the west; he rides to the east; 

Of his goodies he touches not one; 
He eateth the crumbs of the Christmas feast. 

When the dear little folks are done. 
Old Santa Claus doeth what good he can; 

This beautiful mission is his; 
Then, children, be good to the little old man 

When you find^who the little man is. 

— American Teacher, 



That Dreadful Boy. 

I'm looking for a dreadful boy 
(Does anybody know him?) 

Who's leading all the other boys 
The way they shouldn't go in. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 13 

I think if I could find that boy, 

I'd stop what he's a-doing — 
A bringing all the other boys 

To certain moral ruin. 

There's Tommy Green, a growin' lad. 

His mother does inform me. 
The way that he is getting bad 

Would certainly alarm me. 
She feels the blame should rest upon 

John Brown — a recent comer — 
For Tommy was a lovely lad 

A year ago this summer. 

But when I spoke to Mrs. Brown 

Her inmost soul was shaken. 
To think that Mrs. Green could be 

So very much mistaken. 
She did assure me Johnny was 

As good a child as any. 
Except for learning naughty things 

From Mrs. Whiting's Benny. 

And Mrs. Whiting frets because 

Of Mrs. Blackham's Freddy; 
She fears he's taught young Benjamin 

Some wicked tricks already. 
Yet Fred is such an innocent 

(I have it from his mother) 
He wouldn't think of doing wrong, 

Untempted by another. 

O! when I think I've found the boy 

Whose ways are so disgracin', 
I always learn he's some one else, 

And lives some other place in. 



Ja 



14 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

And if we cannot search him out 
He will (most dreadful pity!) 

Spoil all the boys who otherwise 
Would ornament our city. 



After a While. 

There is a strange sweet solace in the thought 
That all the woes we suffer here below 

May, as a dark and hideous garment wrought 
For us to wear whether we will or not, 

Be cast aside with a relieving smile, 
After a little while. 

Only a Uttle while this vale of tears 

With moans and sighs shall hem our devious way, 
Only a little while the grief that sears 

And wrings and rends, shall gloat above its prey 
And fade will likewise every hollow guile 
After a little while. 

What if we lose earth's pageants, fresh and fair — 
The pride of morn, the sunset's gorgeous fields. 

Love's leaping pulse and the unmeasured share 
That nature's largess for the asking yields — 

If death to brighter shores our souls exile 
After a little while. 

No mortal roaming but hath certain end; s 

Though far unto the ocean-spaces gray 

We sail and sail, without a chart for friend. 
Above the sky line, faint and far away. 

There looms at last the one enchanted isle 
After a little while. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 15 

Though over burning and inveterate sands, 
To seek the river's mystic source, we strain, 

With parching hps, scorched feet and bhstered hands, 
At last there rises one, the mountain chain 

That folds the fountains of our spirit's Nile 
After a Uttle while. 

Oh, when our cares come thronging thick and fast. 
With more of anguish than the heart can bear, 

Though friends desert, and, as the heedless blast. 
Even love pass by us with a stony stare, 

Let us withdraw into some ruined pile, 
Or lonely forest aisle. 

And contemplate the never ceasing change 
Whereby the processes of God are wrought ; 

And from our petty lives our souls estrange, 
Till, bathed in currents of exalted thought, 

We feel, the rest that must our cares beguile 
After a while ! 



Hum-um-um. 

Said little brown Bee to big brown Bee : 
*^ Oh hurry here and see, and see, 
The loveliest rose — the loveliest rose 
That in the garden grows, grows, grows. 
Hum-um-um — hum-um-um," 
Said little brown Bee to big brown Bee. 

Said Uttle brown Bee to big browoi Bee : 
" Much honey must be here, and we 
Should beg a portion while we may, 



16 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS* 

For soon more bees will come this way 

Hum-um-um — hum-um-um," 

Said little brown Bee to big brown Bee. 

Said big brown Bee to little brown Bee: 
'* The rose is not for me, for me, 
Though she is lovelier by far 
Than many other flowers are. 
Hum-um-um — hum-um-um," 
Said big brown Bee to little brown Bee. 

Said big brown Bee to little brown Bee: 
'* No honey-cup has she, has she, 
But many cups, all brimming over. 
Has yonder little purple clover, 
And that's the flower for me, for me. 
Hum-um-um — hum-um-um , ' ' 
Said big brown Bee to little brown Bee. 

— Margaret Eytinge in St, Nicholas for May. 



A Recipe, 

'Pothecary, 'pothecary, living in the rose. 

Tell us how to make the scent that everybody knows. 

*'A penny's worth of nectar; a dozen drops of dew; 
A little compound sunshine that's slowly filtered through; 
A sun-glass made of diamond, and then — the mixing done — 
Set out a little flask of it to simmer in the sun." 

'Pothecary, 'pothecary, is there nothing more? 
**Yes, it taketh industry to make the summer's store. 
So, my lad and lady, run off now and play; — 
This, like every day in June, is my busy day." 

— Mary A, Lathbury, St, Nicholas. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 17 

What are You Sowing. 

Plant blessings, and blessings will bloom ; 

Plant hate, and hate will grow ; 
You can sow to-day — to-morrow will bring 
The blossom that proves what sort of a thing 

Is the seed — the seed that you sow, 

— Gems for Youth. 



Drink and Danger. 

Write it on the liquor-store, 
Write it on the prison door. 
Write it on the gin-shop fine, 
Write, oh, write this truthful line : 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 

Write it on the work-house gate, 
Write it on the school-boy's slate. 
Write it on the copy-book. 
That the young may in it look : 
Where there's drink there's danger. 

Write it on the church-yard mound. 
Where the drink-slain dead are found 
Write it on the gallows high. 
Write it for all passers-by : 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 

Write it underneath your feet. 
Write it on the busy street. 
Write it for the great and small. 
In the mansion, cot, or hall : 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 



18 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Write it on our ships which sail, 
Borne along by steam and gale ; 
Write it in large letters, plain, 
O'er our land and 'cross the main : 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 

Write it always in the home. 
Write it where our drunkards roam 
Year by year from good and right, 
Proving with resistless might. 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 

Write it for the rising youth, 
Write it for the cause of truth, 
Write it for our fatherland. 
Write — 'tis Duty's stern command — 
Where there's drink, there's danger. 



Rulers of England in Rhyme. 

First William the Norman, 

Then William his son ; 
Henry, Stephen and Henry, 

Then Richard and John ; 
Third Henry preceded 

Edwards One, Two and Three ; 
And again, after Richard, 

Three Henrys we see. 
Two Edwards, Third Richard, 

Two Henrys, I guess ; 
And, after Sixth Edward, 

Queen Mary, Queen Bess ; 
Then Jamie, the Scotchman, 

And Charles, whom they slew ; 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 19 

And again, after Cromwell, 

Another Charles too. 
After Jamie the Second 

Ascended the throne, 
Good WilUam and Mary 

Together came on ; 
Then Anne, Georges four, 

And Fourth William all past, 
Till God sent us Victoria, 

May she long be the last! 



Little Foxes and Little Hunters. 

Recite, '* Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the 
vines." — Songs of Solomon, II, 15. 

First, — Among my tender vines I spy 
A little fox named — By-and-by. 

Answer, — Then set upon him quick, I say. 
The swift young hunter — Right-away. 

Second, — Around each tender vine I plant, 
I find the little fox — I can't. 

Answer. — Then, fast as ever hunter ran. 
Chase him with bold and brave — I can ! 

Third, — No-use-in-trying — lags and whines 
This fox, among my tender vines. 

Answer. — Then drive him low and drive him high, 
With this good hunter named — I'll try. 

Fourth, — Among the vines in my small lot, 
Creeps in the young fox — I-forgot. 



20 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Answer. — Then hunt him out and to his den 
With — I-will-not-f orget-again ! 

Fifth.— The little fox that hidden there 
Among my vines is — I-don't-care. 

Answer. — Then let I'm-sorry — hunter true — 
Chase him afar from vines and you. 

The Five. — ^What mischief -making foxes ! yet 
Among our vines they often get. 

In concert.— But now their hunters' names you know, 
Just drive them out, and keep them so. 



A Cluster of Neyers. 

[Compiled for The Moderator by a teacher who has found them 
helpful in school work.] 

Never utter a word of slang, 
Never shut the door with a bang. 

Never say once that you *' don't care," 
Never exaggerate, never swear. 

Never lose your temper, much, 
Never a glass of liquor touch. 

Never wickedly play the spy, 
Never, O, never, tell a lie! 

Never your parents disobey. 
Never neglect at night to pray. 

Remember these maxims 

Through all the day. 
And you will be happy 

At work or at play. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 21 

The Two Ways. 

Where two ways meet the children stand, 
A fair broad road on either hand: 
One leads to Right and one to Wrong, 
So runs the song. 

Which wiU you choose, each lass and lad ? 
The right or left, the good or bad ! 
One leads to Right and one to Wrong, 
So runs the song. 



The Better Way. 

'* 'Tis better to weave in the web of hfe, 

A thread of golden filling. 
And to do God's will with a ready heart, 

And with hands that are swift and wilUng, 
Than to snap the delicate, slender threads 

Of our curious lives asunder. 
And then blame heaven for the tangled ends, 

And sit and grieve and wonder." 



A Cleyer Maxim. 

There is a clever maxim. 

Which I would on you impress, — 
Whether in joy or sorrow, 

In pleasure or distress. 
To keep your wits about you 

And faithfully observe, 
To look out for the engine 

When it's coming round the curve. 



Ma 



22 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

Should business cares oppress you, 

And times seem hard and drear, 
An honest heart and sunny smile 

Will all your future cheer. 
Put on the brakes, keep a sharp lookout. 

The maxim well will serve. 
If you blow your whistle lively. 

When you're coming round the curve. 

— Little Poems. 



Lift a Little ! 

Lift a little ! Lift a httle ! 

Neighbor, lend a helping hand 
To that heavy laden brother, 

Who for weakness scarce can stand. 
What to thee, with thy strong muscle, 

Seems a light and easy load, 
Is to him a pond'rous burden, 

Cumbering his pilgrim road. 

Lift a little ! Lift a little ! 

Effort gives one added strength ; 
That which staggers him when rising. 

Thou canst hold at full arm's length. 
Not his fault that he is feeble. 

Not thy praise that thou art strong ; 
It is God makes hves to differ, 

Some from wailing, some from song. 

Lift a Httle ! Lift a little ! 

Many they who need thine aid ; 
Many lying on the roadside, 

'Neath misfortune's dreary shade. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 23 

Pass not by, like Priest and Levite, 

Heedless of thy fellow-man ; 
But with heart and arms extended, 
Be the Good Samaritan. 



The Little Boy's Troubles- 

[To be spoken by a boy nine or ten years old, showing his copy-book 

as he speaks.] 

I thought when I learned my letters 

That all my troubles were done, 
But I find myself much mistaken. 

They only have just begun. 
Learning to read was awful. 

But not like learning to write : 
I'd be sorry to have you tell it, 

But my copy-book is a sight ! 

The ink gets over my fingers ; 

The pen cuts all sorts of shines. 
And won't do at all as I bid it ; 

The letters won't stay on the lines. 
But go up and down and all over. 

As though they were dancing a jig — 
They are there in all shapes and sizes, 

Medium, little and big. 

The tails of the g's are so contrary ! 

The handles get on the wrong side 
Of the d/s and the k's and the 7i's, 

Though I've certainly tried and tried 
To make them just right. It is dreadful ! 

I don't know what to do ; 
I'm getting almost distracted, 

My teacher says she is too. 



24 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE FOLKS. 

A Boy's Pocket. 

Buckles, and buttons, and top. 
And marbles and pieces of string, 

A screw from a rusty old mop, 
And scraps of a favorite sling. 

Slate pencils and a part of a lock. 
Some matches and kernels of corn, 

The wheels of a discarded clock. 
And remains of a mitten all torn. 

A jack-knife or two, never sharp. 
Some pieces of bright colored glass. 

The rim of an ancient jewsharp, 
Pens, fish-hooks and pieces of brass. 

Old nails, *' sweeties," chippings of tin, 
With bits of a battered up locket. 

All these, and much more, are within 
The depths of a little boy's pocket. 

— Treasure Trove, 



The TJmlbrella Man. 

I have not seen him for full a week — 

His house — I know at the end of our street — 

"Where he keeps his ribs and noses and springs, 

His sticks and wires and various things — 

Bundles of leather and pieces of reed — 

A curiosity shop indeed ! 

Umbrellas on their very last feet 

Old and tattered and obsolete, 

Laid up on the shelf forlorn indeed, 

Under the weather and gone to seed. 



1 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 25 

Side by side, awaiting repair, 

Stylish satin and skeleton bare. 

little respect is shown for style. 

An umbrella's an *' umbrel " all the while ! 

And always useful — whatever the mode— 

I think the first umbrella ** growed," 

For the model, nature herself has set 

A toad-stool — did you ever think of it ? 

Easy enough — don't shake your head ! 

Hymenomicites if you want to spread ! 

Of umbrella trees you've doubtless heard, 

But then I'll tell you just a word, 

The leaves about the branches furled 

Just like an umbrella, for all the world. 

The wise man's he who takes the hint 

No counterfeit in nature's mint ! 

And then what's better she takes no fee, — 

A very good thing for poets like me ! 

From umbrellas to trees — remark the dash — 

We'll return, at least if you have the cash, 

No credit system with the umbrella man. 

He isn't a poet — sensible plan ! 

And then he's useful, no discount on that. 

Winter or summer — you'll know that hat. 

The umbrella man's no summer friend. 

Here's to his health and long may he mend. 

F. S. C. 



Song of the Cooper. 

Oh ! I am a Cooper, 

No care do I know. 
While round my nice barrels 

So gaily I go. 
Tic a tic tack, tic a tic tack, tic a tic tack, I go. 



^ 



26 TIP TOP PIECES EOE LITTLE FOLKS,- 

Oh ! light is my heart 

As a bird on the wing, 
While round my nice barrels 
So gaily I sing. 
Tic a tic tack, tic a tic tack, tic a tic tack, I gck 

My work it is useful, 

My work it is right ; 
And so I keep pounding 

From morning till night. 
Tic a tic tack, tick a tic tack, I singv 

Come join in my labor, 

Come join in my song. 
And we will be merry 

Through all the day long. 
Tic a tic tack, tic a tick tack, all day long;. 



Dinner Time. 

Tell me little housewife. 
Toiling in the sun. 
How many minutes 
Till the pie is done? 
Johnny builds the oven^ 
Katie rolls the crust, 
Daisy finds the flour 
All of golden dust. 
Turn it so and roll it so, 
"What a dainty size! 
All the plums are pebbles,. 
Hot mud pies! 



^ 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 27 

Don't you see the blue bird 
High up in the air? 
Good morning, little ones, 
Are you busy there? 
Pretty Mister Squirrel 
Dancing on a rail. 
Shakes his head and listens, 
Curls his bushy tail. 
Turn it so and pat it so, 
What a dainty size! 
Bake it on a shingle. 
Hot mud pies! 

Hands that never weary 

Toiling in the deep. 

Shut the oven door, now. 

Soon we'll take a peep. 

Wish we had a shower, * 

Think we need it so, 

For 'twould make the roadside 

Such a heap of dough. 

Turn them in and turn them out, 

How the morning flies ! 

Ring the bell for dinner. 

Hot mud pies ! 



Health Alphabet, 

[ Let each pupil recite a line.] 

As soon as you are up shake blanket and sheet ; 
Better be without shoes than sit with wet feet ; 
Children, if healthy, are active, not still ; 
Damp beds and damp clothes will both make you ill ; 



J. 



28 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Eat slowly and always chew your food well ; 

Freshen the air in the house where you dwell ; 

Carments must never be made too tight ; 

Homes should be healthy, airy and light ; 

|f you wish to be well, which you do I've no doubt. 

Just open the windows before you go out ; 

Keep the room always tidy and clean ; 

Let dust on the furniture never be seen ; 

IVIuch illness is caused by the want of pure air ; 

Mow, to open the windows be ever your care ; 

Old rags and old rubbish should never be kept ; 

People should see that their floors are well swept ; 

Quick movements in children are healthy and right ; 

Remember the young cannot thrive without light ; 

See that the cistern is clean to the brim ; 

Xake care that your dress is all tidy and trim ; 

Use your nose to find if there be a bad drain — 

Very sad are the fevers that come in its train ; 

V^alk as much as you can without feeling fatigue ; 

Xerxes could walk full many a league ; 

Your health is your wealth, which your wisdom must keep ; 

Xeal will help a good cause, and the good you will reap. 



A Lesson in Creograpliy. 

'' Now, what is a lake ? 

You will none of you make 
In a question so easy as this a mistake." 

And quickly went up every hand. 
But never a youngster could certainly tell, 
Although very sure he had studied it well, 

Whether lakes are of water or land. 



1 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 29 

Alas and alas ! 

That it quickly should pass 
To Pat at the foot of the primary class. 

He waited triumphant, demure. 
" A lake, thin — is what you'd be askin o'me ? 
A lake, is it ! what in the wurld would it be 

But a hole in the tay kittle, sure ! " 



How We Wash our Clothes. 

[Motion Recitation.] 

We wash our clothes, you know. 
With soap and hot water, Ho, Ho ! 

Then rinse them with care you see. 
In water well blued. He, He ! 

Then up on a line to dry, 

They're fastened with clothes-pins, Hi, Hi ? 

Now sprinkled and folded away, 
All ready for ironing next day. 

The irons are hot, now, do your best, 
We'll soon be through and then we can rest. 

Children recite first stanza and follow it with imitation of 
rolling up sleeves, rubbing clothes on board and using soap, 
using handkerchief of imaginary cloth, and back of seat for 
board. 

Follow second stanza with imitation of rinsing, turning 
wringer, etc. 

After third stanza clothespins, pole and line. 

Fourth, sprinkle handkerchief, and lay in desk. 

Fifth, try iron, smooth, iron and fold. Finally hang on 
extended finger for clothes bar. — ChilcVs Song Book, A. S, 
Barnes & Co, 



30 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

When I'm a Man. 

[ For a fine, manly little fellow who can assume the air of a grown 
person. To be spoken with animation.] 

When I am big, what do you think 

I'll have, the first thing, then ? 
Now, if I give you guesses three, 

You'U have to guess again. 

Why, I'll have a splendid house, 

All rich men do, I s'pose. 
With carpets fine, and pictures, too. 

And lots of things like those. 

And in the very nicest room, 

I'll have the nicest chair, 
And sitting in it smiling sweet. 

The nicest woman there. 

She's pretty, but it isn't that — 

She is so good she'll shame 
The bad right out of a fellow's heart. 

And Mother is her name. 

— Southwestern Journal Ed. 



What Should Little Children Learn? 

EMMA C. DOWD. 

Teacher: 
What should little children learn, 
To insure the best return. 
All in the springtime early ? 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 31 

Pupils: 

1st. How to sing when skies are gray ; 
2nd. How to smooth another's way ; 
3d. How to smile through bitter tears ; 
4th. How to hope away all fears ; 
oth. How to carry bravest heart 

Cheerily through every part ; 
6th. How to praise a rival's skill ; 
7th. How to yield to wisest will ; 
8th, How to keej) the temper sweet ; 
9th. How to wait with patient feet ; 
10th. How to let a treasure go 

To relieve another's woe ; 
11th. How to be a little sun, 

Shedding Hght on every one. 

.All 

To insure the best return , 

This should little children learn, 

All in the springtime early. 

— Harper's Young People, 



A Small Boy's Speech. 

Hellow, folkses ; 

Hope you're well to-day! 
Pve just come out, 

But I've nothing much to say, 
I leave speech-making 

To older ones than I, 
And all that I can do is this — 

Wish you all good by. 

— Little Speeches 



32 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS^ 

Boys. 

sturdy little farmer boy, tell nie how you know 

When 'tis time to plow the fields, and to reap and mow. 

Do the hens '' with yellow legs " 

Scold you when you hunt for eggs? 
Do you drive the ducks to drink, waddling in a row. 

Do the pigs in concert squeal 

When you bring the evening meal ? 
Tell me, little farmer boy, for I'd like to know. 

Nimble little sailor boy, tell me how you know 
How to navigate your ship when the tempests blow. 

Do you find it pretty hard 

Clinging to the top-sail yard? 
Don't you fear some stormy day overboard you'll go? 

Do they let you take a light 

When you go aloft at night ? 
Tell me, little sailor boy, for I'd like to know. 

Little boys of every kind, tell me how you know 
That 'tis time ere school begins rather ill to grow. 

Does the pain increase so fast 

That 'tis terrible at last ? 
Don't you quickly convalesce when too late to go ? 

Do you think I am a dunce ? 

Wasn't I a school-boy once ? 
Tell me, all you little boys, for I'd hke to know. 



Grrandma^s Adyice. 

** Help yourself, help yourself, little boy — do ; 
Don't wait for others to wait upon you." 
Grandma was holding her afternoon chat, 
Ejiitting and rocking away as she sat. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 33 

^' Look at the birds, how they build their own nests? 
Watch the brown bees always toiling their best ! 
Put your own hands to the plow if you'd thrive. 
Dont waste your moments in wishing, but strive." 
Up in her face looked a mischievous elf, 
'* Don't forget, darhng," said she, " help yourself." 

Afternoon shadows grew drowsy and deep ; 
Grandma was tranquilly folded in sleep ; 
Nothing was heard but the old farmhouse clock 
Plodding along with its warning *^ tick ! tock ! " 
Out from the pantry there came a loud crash ; 
Pussy jumped up from the hearth Like a flash. 
Back to her chair strode this practical boy. 
Steeped to the ears in jam, custard and joy. 
Grinning, he cried, *' Please, I've upset the shelf : 
Grandma, I minded ; I did help myself." 

— Harper's Young People^ 



The Drill. 

'* Present arms !" there they are 
Both stretched out to me — 

Strong and sturdy, smooth and white. 
Fair as arms can be. 

^* Ground arms ! " on the floor, 

Picking up his toys, 
Breaking all within his reach. 

Busiest of boys. 

'* Right wheel ! " off his cart ; 

*' Left wheel ! " too, is gone ; 
Horsey's head is broken off. 

Horsey 's tail is torn. 



34 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

' ' Quick step ! " '' Forward March ! " 

Crying, too, he comes, ^ 

Had a battle with the cat — 

'' Scratched off bofe my fums ! " 

*^ Shoulder arms ! " here at last. 

Round my neck they close. 
Poor little soldier boy 

Off to quarters goes. 

— Army and Navy Journal, 



Cracked. 

'Twas a set of Resolutions, 

As fine as fine could be, 
And signed, in painstaking fashion. 

By Nettie and Joe and Bee ; 
And last in the fist w^as written. 

In letters broad and dark 
( To look as grand as the others,) 

Miss Maby Grace x, her mark ! 

We'll try all ways to help our mother ; 
We won't be selfish to each other ; 
Well say kind words to every one ; 
We won't tie pussy's feet for fun ; 
We won't be cross and snarly, too ; 
And all the good we can, we'll do. 

It's just as easy to keep them, 

The children gaily cried ; 
But mamma, with a smile, made answer, 

^' Wait, darlings, till you are tried," 



1* 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. • 35 

And, truly, the glad, bright Ne^ Year 

Wasn't his birth-day old, 
When three httle sorrowful faces 

A sorrowful story told. 

** And how are your resolutions ?" 

We asked of the baby Grace, 
Who stood with a smile of wonder 

On her dear little dimpled face ; 
Quick came the merry answer — 
She never an instant lacked — 

*' I don't fink much of em's broken, 
But I dess em's 'bout all cracked ? " 

— Youth's Companion. 



We All Like Sheep. 

*' We all like sheep," the tenors shrill 
Begin, and then the church is still. 
While back and forth across the aisle 
Is seen to come the " catching" smile. 

*' We all Hke sheep," the altos moan 
In low, and rich, and mellow tone. 
While broader grows the merry grin 
And nose gets farther off from chin. 

*' We all like sheep," sopranos sing 
Till all the echoes wake and ring; 
The young folks titter, and the rest 
Suppress the laugh in bursting chest. 

** We all like sheep," the bassos growl- 
The titter grows into a howl. 
And e'en the deacon's face is graced 
With wonder at the singer's taste. 



36 ' TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

** We aU like sheep," runs the refrain, 
And then to make their meaning plain, 
The singers all together say, 
^* We all, hke sheep, have gone astray.'* 



Life is What we Make It. 

Let's oftener talk of noble deeds 

And rarer of the bad ones, 
And sing about our happy days, 

And not about the sad ones. 
We were not made to fret and sigh. 

And when grief sleeps to wake it ; 
Bright happiness is standing by — 

This life is what we make it. 

Let's find the sunny side of men, 

Or be believers in it ; 
A Ught there is in every soul 

That takes the pains to win it. 
Oh! there's a slumbering good in all, 

And we perchance may wake it ; 
Our hands contain the magic wand — 

This life is what we make it. 

Then here's to those whose loving hearts 

Shed light and joy about them ! 
Thanks be to them for countless gems 

We ne'er had known without them. 
Oh ! this should be a happy world 

To all who may but take it ; 
The fault's our own if it is not — 

This life is what we make it. 

— Boston Transcript, 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 37 

Hard Times. 

We say the times are grievous hard, 

And hard they are, 'tis true ! 
But, drinkers, to your wives and babes, 

They're harder made by you. 

The drunkard's tax is self-imposed, 

Like every other sin; 

The taxes altogether cost 

Not half so much as gin. 

—Hannah More, 



Ooing Back to School. 

BY MRS. M. E. SANGSTER. 

A merry tramp of Uttle feet, 

Just hear the sweet vibration ; 
The children over all the land 

Have had a long vacation. 
And back again they haste to take 

In school the dear old places, 
To measure out the days by rule. 

With fair, unshadowed faces 

They troop along the city streets. 

Grave eyes grow young that see them, 
And wistful hearts from every bhght 

Of sin and pain would free them. 
Athwart the dusty ways of 'change, 

With wafts of flowers and grasses, 
As if to music sweet and strange. 

The brilHant army passes. 



38 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE EOLKS. 

Along the quiet country roads, 

By purple asters bordered, 
At nine o'clock and half past three, 

The gay reviews are ordered, 
And childish voices, clear and shrill, 

Amaze the peeping thrushes. 
The wrens and the orioles. 

Housekeeping in the bushes. 

We older people hke to watch 

Our little lads and lasses. 
As sturdily they set to work 

In sober ranks and classes ; 
Such happy brows are over bent 

To con the pictured pages. 
Such earnest wills are wrestling with 

The story of the ages. 
And sometimes sighing as we gaze — 

So fast the bairns are growing — 
We think of darker skies to come 

For these so glad and glowing, 
Fain would we keep the children still 

Brown-cheeked and blithe and ruddy, 
With nothing harder in their lives 

Than days of task and study. 
But God, our Father's wiser love, 

Prepares them for the evil ; 
This army yet shall wage the war 

With world and flesh and devil. 
God bless them in the coming years, 

And guard the waiting places 
Which, by-and-by, he'll bid them fill— 

His smile upon their faces. 

-^Sunday School Times. 



ll 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 39 

Temperance. 

[For a Gir].] 

Water for washing, 

And water for drinking; 
There's nothing Uke water^ 

Fresh water, I'm thinking. 

Put nothing but water 

In cup or in pitcher, 
And then, merry men, 

You'll be wiser and richer. 

[ For a Boy.1 
I'm a temperance boy ! 
See my ribbon blue ! 
Don't you think it's pretty ? 
Then you wear one, too ! 

— Primary Fridays No. 2. 



My Time Table. 

[For Recitation.] 
Sixty seconds make a minute, — 
How much good can I do in it ? 
Sixty minutes make an hour, — 
All the good that's in my power ; 
Twenty hours and four a day. 
Time for sleep and work and play — 
Days, three hundred sixty-five, 
Make a year for me to strive 
Right good things each day to do, 
That I wise may grow and true. 

— Primary Fridays No, 2. 



40 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

To-day and To-morrow. 

Do not tell me of to-morrow ; 

There is much to do to-day, 
That can never be accomplished, 

If we throw the hours away. 
Every moment has its duty ; 

Who the future can foretell? 
Defer not then until tomorrow 

What to-day can do as well. 

— The Fountain, 



Questions. 

Can you put the spider's web back in place. 

That once has been swept away ? 
Can you put the apple again on the bough. 

Which fell at our feet today ? 
Can you put the lily-cup back on the stem. 

And cause it to live and grow ? 
Can you mend the butterfly's broken wing, 

That you crushed with a hasty blow ? 
Can you put the bloom again on the grape. 

And the grape again on the vine ? 
Can you put the dew-drops back on the flowers. 

And make them sparkle and shine ? 
Can you put the petals back on the rose ? 

If you could, would it smell as sweet? 
Can you put the flower again in the husk, 

And show me the ripened wheat ? 
Can you put the kernel back in the nut, 

Or the broken eg^ in the shell ? 
Can you put the honey back in the comb, 

And cover with wax each cell ? 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 41 

Can you put the perfume back in the vase, 

When once it has sped away ? 
Can you put the corn silk back on the corn, 

Or the down on the catkins — say ? 
You think that my questions are trifling, dear ? 

Let me ask you another one : 

Can a hasty word ever be unsaid. 

Or a deed unkind, undone ? 

— Wide Awake, 



My Stocking. 

They put me in the great spare bed, and there they made me 

sleep ; 
I must not stir ; I must not wake ; I must not even peep ! 
Right opposite that lonely bed my Christmas stocking hung ; 
While near it, waiting for the morn my Sunday clothes were 

flung. 

I counted softly, to myself, to ten, and ten times ten. 
And went through all the alphabet, and then began again ; 
I repeated that fifth reader piece — a poem called '' Repose," 
And tried a dozen other ways to fall into a doze — 

When suddenly the room grew light, I heard a soft, strong 

bound— 
'Twas Santa Claus, I felt quite sure, but dared not look around 
'Twas nice to know that he was there, and things were going 

rightly, 
And so I took a little nap and tried to smile politely. 

*' Ho ! Merry Christmas ! " cried a voice ; I felt the bed a rock- 
ing ; 
'Twas daylight — Brother Bob was up ! and oh, that splendid 

stocking ! 

— St, Nicholas. 



43 TIP TOP PIECES EOK LITTLE FOLKS.. 

A Secret With Santa Claus. 

[For a Little GirL] 

'Sh — I've got out of bed just a minute, 
To tell you — I'll whisper it low — 

The stockings I've hung by the fire 
("Points to the particular stockings J 

Are for me — not mamma, you know, 

For mine are so awfully little. 
Dear Santa Claus, don't you see ? 

And I want, oh ! so many playthings. 
They won't hold enough for me. 

So I want you to surely remember. 
And fill these as full as you can ; 

'Cause I haven't been very naughty. 
And — you're such a nice, kind man ! 

— Treasure Trove. 



Total Anniliilation. 

O, he was a Bowery bootblack bold, 
And his years they numbered nine ; 

Rough and unpolished was he, albeit 
He constantly aimed to shine. 

As proud as a king, on his box he sat, 

Munching an apple red; 
While the boys of his set looked wistfully on^ 

And '^ Give us a bite ! " they said. 

But the bootblack smiled a lordly smile ; 
** No free bites here ! " he cried. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 43 

The boys they sadly walked away, 
Save one who stood at his side. 

** Bill, give us the core?" he whispered low ; 

That bootblack smiled once more, 
And a mischievous dimple grew in his cheek : 

'* There aiivt goiiv to he no core ! " 



Wliich Side are Tou On. 

Come, cliildren, and listen ; I'll tell you in rhyme 

A story of something which happened one time. 

There was war in the land, and each brave heart beat high, 

And many went forth for their country to die ; 

But words fail to tell of the fear and dismay 

Which swept the small village of W one day, 

"V\Tien the enemy's army marched into the street, 
And their own valiant soldiers were forced to retreat ; 
Such hiding, surrendering and trembling with fear ! 
When what in the midst of it all should appear 

But Grandmother Gregory, feeble and old. 
Coming out from her cottage courageous and bold ! 
She faced the intruders who marched through the land. 
Shaking at them the poker she held in her hand. 
'' How foolish I ■' her friends cried, provoked, it is true ; 
" Why, grandmother, what did you think you could do?" 
'* Not much," answered grandma, '^ but ere they were gone 
I wanted to show them which side I was on.''' 

Now, children, I've told this queer story to you 
To remind you of something the weakest can do — 
There is always a fight 'twixt the right and the wrong. 
And the heat of the battle is borne by the strong ; 



44 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE EOLKS. 

But, no matter now small, or unfit for the field, 
Or how feeble or graceless the weapon you wield. 
Oh ! fail not until the last enemy's gone, 
To stand up and show them which side you are on. 

— An7ia R. Henderson, in Our Youth, 



Two Little Old Ladles. 

[For Recitation.] 

Two little old ladies, one grave, one gay. 
In the self same cottage lived day by day. 
One could not be happy, ^'because," she said, 
*^ So many children were hungry for bread." 
And she really had not the heart to smile. 
When the world was so wicked all the while. 

The other old lady smiled aU day long, 

As she knitted or sewed, or crooned a song. 

She had not time to be sad, she said. 

When hungry children were crying for bread. 

So she baked, and knitted and gave away. 

And declared that the world grew better each day. 

Two little old ladies, one grave, one gay; 
Now which do you think chose the wiser way ? 

—St. Nicholas for October, 



Trouble Ahead. 

Merry Christmas ! girls and boys. 
Santa Glaus, with team and toys, 
Now is starting on his way. 
With his overladen sleigh, — 



^^ 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE EOLKS. 45 

Never heeding cold or wetting, 
Not a single town forgetting. 
But a puzzled look he bears 
As he moves among his wares ; 
And I doubt if ever yet 
Was Santa Claus in such a fret. 
Now he purses up his Hps, 
Snaps his rosy finger tips ; 
All in vain he scans his store, 
Names the children o'er and o'er — 
Just one hoy deserves a switch, 
And he has forgotten which. 

— N. Y, School JournaL 



Something for Children to Do. 

There is something on earth for children to do, 

For the child that is striving to be 
Like the One who once murmured, in acccents of love, 

** Let the little ones come unto me." 

There are sweet, winning words to the weary and sad 

By their glad, loving lips to be said ; 
There are hearts that are waiting by some little hand 

Unto Jesus the Lord to be led. 

There are lessons to learn both at home and at school ; 

There are battles to fight for the right ; 
There's a watch to be kept over temper and tongue, 

And God's help to be asked day and night. 

There are smiles to be given, kind deeds to be done, 
Gentle words to be dropped by the way ; 

For the child that is seeking to follow the Lord 
There is something to do every day. 



46 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE POLKS. 

Crood Company. 

*^ ril tryr is a soldier ; 

^' Iwilir' is a king ; 
Be sure they are near 

When the school-bells ring. 

When school-days are over, 

And boys are men, 
'' ril try V and ''I will!'' 

Are good friends then." 

Primary Fridays No, 



Ella Wheeler's Best. 

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; 

Weep, and you weep alone ; 
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, 

But has trouble enough of its own. 
Sing, and the hills will answer ; 

Sigh — it is lost on the air ; 
The echoes bound to a joyful sound. 

But are slow to voice your care. 

Eejoice, and men will seek you ; 

Grieve, and they turn and go ; 
They want full measure of all your pleasure. 

But they do not need your woe. 
Be glad, and your friends are many ; 

Be sad, and you lose them all ; 
There are none to decline your nectared wine. 

But alone you must drink Uf e's gall. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 47 

Feast, and your halls are crowded ; 

Fast, and the world goes by ; 
Succeed and give and it helps you live, 

But no man can help you die. 
There is room in the halls of pleasure 

For a large and lordly train ; 
But one by one we must all file on 

Thro' the narrow aisles of pain. 



What Bessie is Good For. 

^' Yes ! Bridget has gone to the city 
And papa is sick, as you see. 
And mamma has no one to help her. 
But two-years-old Laurence and me. 

* ' You'd like to know what I am good for, 
'Cept to make work and tumble things down ? 
I guess there aren't no little girlies 
At your house at home. Doctor Brown ! 

'' I've brushed all the crumbs from the table, 
And dusted the sofa and chairs ; 
I've polished the hearth-stone and fender. 
And swept off the area stairs. 

" I've wiped all the silver and china, 
And just dropped one piece on the floor ; 
Yes, Doctor, it broke in the middle. 
But I 'spect it was cracked before. 

^ ' And the steps that I save precious mamma ! 
You'd be 'sprised, Dr. Brown, if you knew ; 
She says if it wasn't for Bessie 
She couldn't exist the day through ! 



48 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

'* It's ' Bessie, bring papa some water !' 
And ^ Bessie, dear, run to the door !' 
And * Bessie, loye, pick up the playthings 
The baby has dropped on the floor.' 

'* Yes, Doctor, I'm 'siderably tired, 
I've been on my feet all the day, 
Good-bye ! well, ' perhaps ' I * will ' help you 
When your old Bridget ' goes off to stay !' " 

— Good Cheer, 



It Never Comes Again. 

There are gains for all our losses. 

There are balms for all our pain ; 
But when youth, the dream departs, 
It takes something from our hearts, 
And it never comes again. 

We are stronger, and are better. 

Under manhood's sterner reign ; 
Still we feel that something sweet 
Followed youth with flying feet. 

And will never come again. 

Something beautiful is vanished. 

And we sigh for it in vain ; 
We behold it everywhere. 
On the earth, and in the air, 

But it never comes again. 

— Richard Henry Stoddard, 



\ 



TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE FOLKS, 49 

Little Things. 

Little mysteries achieved, 
Little wants with care relieved, 
Little words in love expressed. 
Little wrongs at once confessed. 
Little graces meekly worn; 
Little slights with patience borne ; 
These are treasures that shall rise 
Far above the shining skies. 



A Neat Little Girl. 

Little Miss Tidy 

Is neat as a pin ; 
She wipes her feet neatly 

Whene'er she comes in. 
She folds her clothes smoothly 

When going to rest ; 
Of all Uttle girls, 

She's the nicest and best. 



Speech for a Little Girl. 

I've a dear little playmate ; 
Who is it ? Now think. 
Her dress it is white, 
Her nose it is pink. 

I don't Hke to handle her roughly, because 
I think she carries pins in her paws. 
I thought she was very dainty and neat, 
But, Oh dear ! she washes her face with her feet ! 
7 



50 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

What and Where? 

Little dimpled hands, 
Busy, wond'rous hands, 

What shall they do? 
When they older grow, 
And when more I know. 

Good they must do. 

Little rosy feet, 

Now so soft and sweet. 

Where shall they go ? 
When, some other day, 
I find out the way. 

Right they must go. 



Speak the Truth. 

Speak the truth ! 
Speak it boldly, never fear ; 
Speak it so that all may hear ; 
In the end it shall appear 
Truth is best in age or youth. 
Always, always speak the truth ! 



For a little Oirl. 

Kind friend, don't think that I'm too small, 
To stand up here before you all. 

And fill a place like this ; 
But bear in mind that I will grow 
To be a woman large, and so — 

I'll throw you all a kiss. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 51 

Work. 

Ho ! ye who at the anvil toil 

And strike the sounding blow, 
Where from the burning iron's breast 

The sparks fly to and fro, 
Oh, while ye feel 'tis hard to toil, 

And sweat the long day tlirough, 
Kemember, it is harder still 

To have no work to do. 



Obey Tour Mother. 

fFor a little girl to speak to her doU.l 

Don't say, ^' I will," 

When I say, ^^No;" 
Don't say, ^' I won't," 

When I say, *^Gk>;" 
For I'm your mother. 

You must obey 

Until you learn 
The better way 

Your steps to turn ; 
Then take no other. 

— Stickney's Second Reader. 



" When I am Big.'' 

When I am big I mean to buy 
A dozen platters of pumpkin pie, 
A barrel of nuts, to have 'em handy. 
And fifty pounds of sugar candy. 



J. 



52 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE POLKS. 

When I am big, I mean to wear 
A long-tailed coat and crop my hair ; 
I'll buy a paper, and read the news, 
And sit up late whenever I choose. 



Be Good. 

Kind looks and smiles so loving, 

And duties promptly done, 
Oh ! these will make the school-room 

As pleasant as the sun. 
Then let us all keep trying 

To do the best we can 
To make our school-life pleasant, 

For 'tis the wisest plan. 



Speech for a Little Boy» 

I'm going to be a wise man. 
As you may plainly see ; 

If I do all the good I can, 
There'll be a place for me. 

I know that I am very small, 
I'm scarcely three feet high ; 

But then, when I am big and tall^ 
Won't I be smart ? Oh, my I 

So then I must my lessons get. 
My teachers kind obey ; 

I never must get cross and fret. 
But pleasant be each day. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE POLKS. 53 

Wishing that we may all do right, 

I ask to be excused ; 
I'll bid you all a kind good-night, 

Hoping you've been amused. 



Resolutions for a Child. 

[ By Anna B. Badlam, Dorchester, Mass.] 

1, I have two hands 2. I have two feet 
To work or play, Papa to meet ; 

I'll do my share I'll run to him 

Of each to-day. With kisses sweet. 

3. I have two ears 4. I have two eyes ; 

Mamma to hear, They're honest, true ; 

I'll mind both her I'm not afraid 

And papa dear. To look at you. 

5. I have a mouth 6. I have a mind 

The truth to tell ; That ought to grow ; 

I'll try each day I'll try each day 

To speak it well. New ti'uths to know. 

7. I have a soul 

As pure as snow ; 
God grant that I 
May keep it so. 

— American Teacher. 



Marching Song. 

Let us march around in singing, 
Happy little girls and boys, 

We will all keep time so nicely 
That you will not hear much noise. 



54 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Shoulders back, heads up, eyes forward, 
Hands at sides, do not look back ; 

Keep in line like little soldiers. 
Left foot, right foot, front to back. 

One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four. 

Step together, here we go ; 
One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four^ 

Here we are all in a row. 



Little Midget. 

[ For a very little girl.] 

My papa sometimes scolds and says 

I'm always in a fidget ! 
But mamma says I keep quite still 

For such a little midget ; 

And teacher said to-day, she thought 

That it was very smart 
For such a little thing as I 

To learn a speech by heart. 



My Kitten. 

I have a little kitten, 
Just like a ball of silk ; 

She purrs so very softly, 
As she laps her nice new milk. 

She is so full of mischief, 
So frolicsome and gay, 

I've not the heart to scold her, 
Excepting just in play. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 55 

She upsets mother's work-box, 

And tangles all her thread ; 
She's never still one minute, 

Unless she is in bed. 



A Pouting Oirl. 

Sniff, sniff, sniff ! 

Little May is in a tiff. 

Snuff, snuff, snuff ! 

Don't YOU think she's cried enough ? 

Pout, pout, pout ! 

How her pretty lips stick out ! 

Drop, drop, drop ! 

Will the quick tears never stop ? 

Shade, shade, shade ! 

I am very much afraid 

That she has forgotten quite 

To be merry, sweet and bright ! 

Creep, creep, creep ! 

A little smile begins to peep. 

Oh, oh, oh ! 

Now she is ashamed, I know. 

Fie, ^e, fie ! 

Do not look so very shy. 

Peek, peek, peek ! 

There's a dimple in her cheek. 

Run, run, run. 

Naughty clouds before the sun ! 

Tears and trouble go away 

From all little girls to-day. 



56 TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE POLKS. 

The Dog and the Bee. 

Great big dog, 

Head upon his toes ; 

Tiny little bee 
Settles on his nose. 

Dog smiles a smile, 
Winks his other eye, 

Chuckles to himself 
Now he'll catch a fly. 

Then he makes a snap. 
Mighty quick and spry. 

Gets the little bug. 

But doesn't catch a fly. 

Tiny little bee, 
. Alive and lookin' well. 
Great big dog. 
Mostly gone to swell. 

MORAL. 

Dear friends and brothers all. 
Don't be too fast and free. 

And when you catch a fly 
Be sure it ain't a bee. 



The Wise Mother. 

There was a wise mother, who once lived in Lee, 
Who dosed all her children each night after tea. 
*^ They're not sick, to be sure. 
But a whole pound of cure 
Is not worth an ounce of prevention," said she. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 57 

Chubby Cheek. 

Chubby cheek, chubby cheek, where is your chin ? 

Did it drop out, love, or did it drop in ? 
There is only a dimple to show where it's been. 

Chubby cheek, chubby cheek, what will you do ? 
There is only one way for a baby Hke you; 
When you grow up, you will have to wear two. 

— Harper's Young People, 



Mud Pies. 



With a Uttle water mix a little clay ; 
Stir it with a crooked stick half the day. 
Sweeten it with sand, put in same biscuit crumbs, 
Wliite stones for citron, and black stones for plums ; 
Take it up carefully, roll it on a board, 
Then you have the best pie money can afford. 
Put it on a flat stone, set it in the sun ; 
There let it bake till the mud pie is done. 

— Little Poems for Little Children, 



Playing School. 

[By Mrs. A. Giddings Park.] 

Blue-eyed Maude is the teacher ; 

Clarence, Minnie and Bell 
Are the most advanced of her pupils- 

The first class studying well. 
Then there are the primary scholars- 

Those dollies that sit in a row ; 
And Robbie's the superintendent 

Who visits the school, you know. 



58 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Pussy is studying drawing, 

Her paws in the crayon-tray ; 
While Bose sits up on a hassock 

Eeady his part to play. 
She has on her very best ribbon, 

With an extra frill of lace. 
While he wears a turn down collar 

AM a very solemn face ! 

A mouse peeps out of the corner. 

From his hole just under the wall, 
And puss goes scampering after. 

Upsetting the dollies and all ! 
While Maudie — the dignified teacher — 

Just screams and jumps to a chair ; 
And the grave little superintendent 

Laughs loud at the funny affair. 

— Independent. 



Stolen Custard. 

Sugar-toothed Dick 
For dainties was sick. 

So he slyly stole into the kitchen, 
Snatched a cup from the pantry 
And darted out quick. 

Unnoticed by mother or Gretchen. 

Whispered he : *' There's no cake, 
For to-morrow they bake ; 

But this custard looks rich and delicious, 
How they'll scold at the rats. 
Or the mice, or the cats ; 

For of me I don't think they're suspicious. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOK LITTLE FOLKS. 59 

'* They might have filled up 
Such a stingy, mean cup, 

And for want of a spoon I must drink it. 
But 'tis easy to pour — 
Hark ! Who's that at the door?" 

And the custard went down ere you'd think it. 

With a shriek he sprang up ; 
To the floor dashed the cup ; 

Then he howled at that queer tasting custard 
Till the terrible^in 
Brought the whole household in — 

He had swallowed a cupful of mustard I 



That Boy. 

Through the house with laugh and shout, 
Knees threadbare and elbows out. 
Mamma hears with anxious doubt. 

That boy. 

Vain are all the lessons taught, 
In one short hour they are forgot, 
Gentle manners learneth not 

That boy. 

Thus she muses while she tries 
To soothe the wakened baby's cries. 
While to other mischief hies 

That boy. 

Patient mother, wait awhile ; 
Summon back thy loving smile ; 
Soon will graver cares beguile 

That boy. 



60 TIP TOP PIECES EOK LITTLE FOLKS. 

Soon the boy, with *^ cheek of tan " 
Will be the brawny, bearded man. 
If thou wonldst trust and honor then 

That boy, 

Trust him now and let thy care 
Shield his soul from every snare 
That waits to capture, unaware, 

That boy. 

And when, though worn and oft distressed, 
Thou knowest that God thy work hath blessed. 
Then trust with him for aU the rest 

That boy. 
— Illustrated Christian Weekly, 



Grown-up Land. 

** Good-morrow, good-morrow, my bright-eyed lad, 
Now what may your trouble be ?" 

*^ Good-morrow," he answered me, sober and sad ; 

*' Here is trouble enough for me : 

Say, which is the road to Grown-up Land — 

The shortest, kind stranger, I pray ? 
For these guide-boards all point with a different hand, 

In a dreadfully puzzling way. 
This says : By the Town of Saving a Cent ; 
Another : Just follow your Natural Bent ; 
This points to the Road of Wisely Giving ; 
And that to the Turnpike of Truly Living ; 
A fifth straggles off here to Leap-frog Town ; 
And a sixth chmbs the hill-slope of High Renown. 
These lead to the By-ways of Bat and BaU, 
And the Highways of Courage and Know It All ; 



I 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 61 

Then there are Cross-roads of Play and Fun ; 
And the Post-roads of Duty and Things Well Done. 
Good Gracious ! How can a boy understand 
Which way is the shortest to Grown-up Land ?" 

*' Don't fret, my lad, for the roads you see 
Have been traveled by many Uke you and me ; 
And though each road has a different name. 
To Grown-up Land they all of them came. 
And hour by hour, my boy, you'll find 
That, little by little, they drop behind ; 
'Till, almost before you know it, you stand 
On the breezy summits of Grown-up Land." 

—St, Nicholas^ 



The Little Teacher. 

[ By Sophie E. Eastman.] 

Nine o'clock. 'Tis time for school. 

Rover, don't forget the rule ; 
You must keep your eyes on me 
While you learn your ABC. 

I should be ashamed, indeed. 

Of a dog who could not read. 

Now begin : C — a — t, cat. 

Barking ? What ? You don't like that ? 

Here's another : D — o — g, 

If you'll say it after me 
You shall have a piece of cake. 
Oh ! you've made a great mistake. 

Try it, Rover, just once more. 
Here's a word you've heard before. 



i 



62 TIP TOP PIECES EOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

B — o — w ; speak up, now, 

And pronounce it : '' Bow, Bow wow,^^ 

Good old Eover ! That's well done, 

Come and have a little run. 



For Tery Little Boys. 

tPupils who recite the following should stand before the blackboard, 
upon which the letters should be made as large as possible, and 
while the pupils recite.] 

First, 

You see me stand, 
With chalk in hand, 

And make the letter G. 
If you would know what's coming next 

Just " look sharp " and you'll see. 

Second. 

There, I have done my very best 

To make the letter O, 
I say 'tis hard to make it round 
And full ; don't you think so ? 

Third, 

And I will make one like it, so (O). 

It's crooked some you see, 
But teacher says it isn't bad 

For a little boy like me. 

Fourth, 

My part's the very hardest. 
To make the letter D. 

Fifth, 

So that my verse shall rhyme with his 
I'll make the letter B. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 63 

Sixth, 

I'm going to make a letter, too, 

To do my best I'll try. 
And now I've got it finished, 

Good-by, (All) Good-by. 

(School) Good-hy. 

— Popular Educator. 



Our Heroes. 

Here's a hand to the boy who has corn-age 

To do what he knows to be right ; 
When he falls in the way of temptation 

He has a hard battle to fight. 
Who strives against self and his comrades 

Will find a most powerful foe ; 
All honor to him if he conquers, 

A cheer for the boy who says " No ! " 

There's many a battle fought daily 

The world knows nothing about ; 
There's many a brave little soldier 

Whose strength puts a legion to rout. 
And he who fights sin single-handed 

Is more of a hero, I say, 
Than he who leads soldiers to battle, 

And conquers by arms in the fray. 

Be steadfast, my boy, when you're tempted. 
E'er do what you know to be right ; 

Stand firm by the colors of manhood, 
And you will o'ercome in the fight. 



64 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE POLKS. 

" The Eight " be your battle-cry ever 
In waging the warfare of life ; 
And God, knowing who are the heroes, 
Will give you the strength for the strif e. 



March. 



He puffs in my face, and tangles my hair,. 

And laughs at me 

In his saucy glee. 
As he looks to see if I seem to care ; 
He steals behind me and jerks my hat 

While I am at play, 

And flirts it away. 
Perhaps he thinks there is fun in that ; 
He reddens my cheeks, and even tries. 
To fling the sand in my very eyes. 
And out of my ruffles he takes the starch, — 
An impudent fellow is he — that March ! 

— The Nursery^ 



Ten Little Boys went to School. 

[ For ten very little boys. They come up singly, recite line, and take- 
place, five little boys in the b^ck and five shorter ones in front.] 

1st. This httle boy says, *^ I go to school." 

2d. This little boy says, ^' I mind the rule." 

3d. This Httle boy says, '' I read well." 

4th. This little boy says, '' I can spell." 

5th. This little boy says, '* I can sing." 

6th. This little boy says, " I wish you'd wait."* 

7th. *' Hold on till we get our breakfast ate."^ 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 65 

8th, This little boy says, '' I can sing." 
9th. *' I can do almost anything." 
10th. This little boy says, '' Tee, hee, he© ! " 
If you don't believe it, come and see. 

ALL. 

Ten Httle boys who study and play. 
Ten little boys who learn something each day. 
Learn something good if you show us the way. 
Ten little boys, — but little boys grow! 
We'll be ten men the first thing you know, 

— Castle's School Entertainments, 



Song of the Flowers. 

[For five little girls.] 

DAISY. 
Innocence charms in a world of sin. 

ROSE. 

Beauty of soul we should seek to win. 

LILY. 

Purity blossoms fair and white. 

VIOLET. 

Modesty blushes and hides from sight. 

PINK. 

The pink is so happy it seeks for the light. 

ALL. 

We are flowers of hearts and of households, 

Springing up in affection's sod ; 

We are blooming below, but fitting to bloom 

Above, in the garden of God. 
9 



66 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 



Life in Six Acts. 



BABY. 



Sighing, crying, 
Night and day ; 

Winking, blinking. 
Full of play. 

BOY. 

Fooling, schooling, 
Getting tall ; 

Growing, rowing, 
Playing ball. 

YOUTH. 

Fussing, mussing, 

O'er a tie ; 
Larking, sparking, 

On the sly. 



MANHOOD. 

Cooing, wooing 

Future wife ; 
Gushing, blushing. 

Tied for life. 

MIDDLE AGE. 

Slaving, craving, 
Hoarding wealth ; 

Driving, striving, 
Broken health. 

OLD AGE. 

Ailing, failing 

Day by day, 
The undertaker 

Ends the play. 

— Boston Globe, 



The Queer Scholars. 

The sun was shining softly. 
The day was calm and cool. 

When forty-five frog scholars met 
Down by a shady pool — 

For little frogs, like little folk. 
Are always sent to school. 

The master, perched upon a stone. 
Besought them to be quick 

In answering his questions. 
Or else (his voice was thick) 

They knew well what would happen, 
He pointed to his stick. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 67 

Their lessons seemed the strangest things, 
They learnt that grapes were sour ; 

They said that four and twenty days 
Exactly made an hour ; 

That bricks were made of houses, 
And corn was made of flour. 

That six times one was ninety-five, 
And *' yes " meant " no " or *' nay." 

They always spent to-morrow 
Before they spent to-day, 

Whilst each commenced the alphabet 
With *^z" instead of *'a!" 

As soon as school was over 

The master said, *' No noise ! 
Now go and play at leap-frog," 

(The game a frog enjoys), 
*' And mind that you behave yourselves, 

And don't throw stones at hoys ! " 



The Chinese Puzzle. 

bring me a map of the seat of war ! 
I hear the guns on the river Min ! 

1 want to see where the missiles tore 
Through far Foo-Chow with a devil's din. 

Just show me Ke-lung and Sinen-choo ; 

And where, O where is Kin-te-Ching, 
Chow-choo, Chang-chow, and where Cha-oo ? 

Is Hing-wha far from old Yen-ping ? 



68 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS^ 

I yearn to know of Hie-chie-chin ; 

I long to see the High Nan-ling ; 
How, ever, will the French get in 

To Kiang-si, or view Toong-ting ? 

So, bring me a map of the seat of war ! 

I want to learn while the fight is young ; 
And while I am looking for one name more, 

I'll pray for the ladies of great Quang-tung^ 



Boys Make Men. 

When you see a ragged urchin 

Standing wistful in the street. 
With torn hat and kneeless trowsers,. 

Dirty face and bare red feet. 
Pass not by the child unheeding ; 

Smile upon him. Mark me, when 
He's grown old he'll not forget it ; 

For remember — boys make men. 

Have you ever seen a grandsire, 

With his eyes aglow with joy, 
Bring to mind some act of kindness — 

Something said to him, a boy ? 
Or relate some slight or coldness 

With a brow all clouded, when 
He recalled some heart too thoughtless 

To remember — boys make men ? 

Let us try to add some pleasure 

To the life of every boy ; 
For each child needs interest 

In its sorrow and its joy. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 69 

Call your boys home by its brightness ; 

They avoid the household when 
It is cheerless with unkindness ; 

For remember — boys make men ! 



New Tear Chimes. 

[G. Weatherby.] 

Clash, clash, peal the beUs ! 
New Year hfe their welcome tells, 
Wealth of sunny days to be. 
Sing the joy bells gleefully : 
*^ Golden hours and days we give — 
Hours and days in which to live 
In the ways of truth and right." 
So the bells ring forth with might, 
Heralding a future bright ; 
Olash, clash ; peal the bells. 

— Bates' Recitation, 



No Surrender. 

Ever constant, ever true. 

Let the word be — No surrender ! 
Boldly dare and greatly do, 
This shall bring us bravely through. 

No surrender ! No surrender ! 
And though future smiles be few, 
Hope is always springing new. 
Still inspiring me and you 

With the magic — No surrender ! 



y 



70 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Will She? 

Won't it be funny when women vote, 

If they act as silly as the men ? 
The barrels of flour they'll have to **tote," 

The wheelbarrows they'll trundle then. 
Will she pay her bills like a little man, 

Or hedge with a pretty pink-hued note ? 
Will it be a game of catch-as-catch-can 
When women vote ? 

Won't it be funny to have it said 
Of some political sweet girl-bride, 

** She's actually gone and shaved her head — 
Made a bet on the losing side ?" 

Will they bet their boots and their chewing-gum, 
And the pretty bonnets, on which they dote. 

Will we think the millenium has come 
When women vote ? 



^^Rome Wasn't Built in a Day.'' 

[Alice Gary.] 

The boy who does a stroke, and stops — 

Will ne'er a great man be ; 
'Tis the aggregate of single drops 

That makes the sea the sea. 

The mountain was not, at its birth, 

A mountain, so to speak ; 
The little atoms of sand and earth 

Have made its peak a peak. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 71 

Not all at once the morning streams 

Its gold above the gray, 
It takes a thousand little beams 

That makes the day the day. 

Not from the snow-drifts May awakes 

In purples, reds and greens ; 
Spring's whole bright retinue it takes 

To make her queen of queens. 

Upon the orchard rain must fall, 

And soak from branch to root, 
And buds most bloom and fade withal, 

Before the fruit is fruit. 

The farmer needs must sow and till 

And wait the wheaten head, 
Then cradle, thresh, and go to mill. 

Before liis bread is bread. 

Swift heels may get the early shout. 

But, spite of all the din. 
It is t\\e patient holding out 

That makes the winner win. 

Choose, then, this motto at the start — 

'Twill help to smooth the way. 
And steady up both hand and heart — 

'* Rome wasn't built in a day." 



Watch Your Words. 

Keep a watch on your words, my darlings, 
For words are wonderful things ; 

They are sweet, like bees' fresh honey ; 
Like the bees, they have terrible stings. 



72 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE POLKS. 

They can carry a heart's affection, 

And sweeten a bitter life ; 
They can cut in the strife of anger, 

Like an open two-edged knife. 

Let them pass through your lips unchallenged 

If their errand is true and kind ; 
If they come to support the weary. 

To comfort and help the blind. 
If bitter, revengeful spirit 

Prompts the words, let them be unsaid ; 
They may flash through a brain like lightning. 

Or fall on a heart like lead. 

Keep them back if they are cold and cruel, 

Under bar, and lock and seal ; 
The wounds they make, my darlings. 

Are always slow to heal. 
May peace guard your lives, and ever 

From this time of your early youth, 
May the words that you daily utter 

Be beautiful words of truth. 



Can and Will. 

Shoulder to shoulder, ever ready. 
All firm and fearless still. 

The brothers labor — true and steady, 
'' I can" and brave '' I will." 

' ' I can " climbs to the mountain top, 
And plows the billowy main ; 

He lifts the hammer in the shop. 
And drives the saw and plane. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 73 

Then say '' I can !" Yes, let it ring ; 

There is a volume there : 
There's meaning in the eagle's wing — 

Then soar, and do, and DARE. 

Oh, banish from you every *' canH,^^ 

And show yourself a man ! 
And nothing will your purpose daunt. 

Led by the brave *' I Can." 



Little Dilly Dally. 

I don't beheve you ever 

Knew any one so silly 
As the girl I'm going to tell about, 

A little girl named Dilly ! 
Dilly-dally Dilly ! 

Oh, she is very slow ; 
She drags her feet along the street. 

And dilly-dallies so ! 
She's always late to breakfast. 

Without a bit of reason, 
For Bridget rings and rings the bell, 

And wakes her up in season. 
Dilly-daUy Dilly ! 

How can you be so slow ? 
Why don't you try 

To be more spry 
And not dilly-dally so ? 

'Tis just the same at evening ; 

And it's really quite distressing 
To see the time that Dilly wastes 

In dressing and undressing. 



74 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE EOLKS. 

Dilly-dally Dilly 

Is always in a huff 
If you hurry her, 

Or worry her, 
And says, *' There's time enough." 

Since she's neither sick nor helpless, 

It is quite a serious matter 
That she should be so lazy, that 

We still keep scolding at her, 
Dilly-daUy Dilly, 

It's very wrong you know, 
To do no work 

That you can shirk. 

And dilly-dally so. 

— The Nursery. 



The Wise Scholar^s Alphabet. 

Attend carefully to the little things of your work. 

Be prompt, always, everywhere. 

Consider, think, then decide, and stick to it 

Dare to do right ! Be afraid to do wrong I 

Endure what you cannot cure. 

Fight wrong with all your might, but don't fight anything else. 

Go out of your way rather than meet a bad person. 

Hold fast to all the good you have ; let go the evil in you. 

Injure not any one, even your enemy. 

Join hands with good, manly, brave boys and girls. 

Keep evil thoughts out of your mind. 

Lie not for a miUion of dollars. Don't have a price for which 

you can bought. 
Make few intimate acquaintances. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 75 

Never appear to be what you are not. 

Observe the ways of persons whom you respect. 

Pay your debts the day they are due. 

Question not the word of a friend. 

Respect what your parents and teachers teU you. 

Sacrifice anything rather than principle. 

Touch not, handle not, taste not anything that will intoxicate. 

Use aU your time to the best advantage. 

Ventui'e not into a wicked resort. 

'Xtend to every one a cheerful salutation. 

Yield not to the importunity of a wicked person. 

Zealously work for what is right ! 

So shall you be happy ! 

— Canada School Journal. 



The Old Trundle Bed. 

As I rummaged through the attic, 

Listening to the falling rain 
As it pattered on the shingles 

And against the window pane ; 
Peeping o'er the chests and boxes. 

Which with dust were thickly spread, 
Saw I in the farthest corner, 

What was once my trundle bed. 

So I drew it from the corner 

Where it had remained so long. 
Hearing all the while the music 

Of my mother's evening song, 
As she sang in sweetest cadence 

What I often since have read : 
** Hush, my dear, he still and slumber, 

Holy angels guard thy bed." 



76 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

As I listened, recollections 

Of a time long since forgot, 
Came upon my dim remembrance, 

Eushing, thronging to the spot ; 
And I wandered back in mem'ry 

To those happy days of yore, 
When I knelt beside my mother 

By this bed, upon the floor. 

Then it was with hands so gently 

Placed upon my little head, 
That she taught my lips to utter 

Carefully the words she said ; 
Never can they be forgotten, — 

They to memory were given : 
** Hallowed be Thy name, our Father ; 

Father Thou who art in Heaven I" 

Years have passed, and that dear mother 

Long has slept beneath the sod. 
But I know her sainted spirit 

Reigneth in the home of God. 
But that scene at summer twilight, 

Light o'er all my life has shed. 
And it comes in all its freshness 

When I see my trundle bed. 



Old Shoes. 



How much a man is like old shoes ! 

For instance, both a soul may lose ; 

Both have been tanned ; both are made tight 

By cobblers ; both get left and right ; 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 77 

Both need a mate to be complete, 

And both are made to go on feet. 

They both need heehng, oft are sold, 

And both in time all turn to mold. 

With shoes the last is first ; with men 

The first shall be the last ; and when 

The shoes wear out they are mended new ; 

When men wear out they are men-dead, too. 

They both are trod upon, and both 

Will tread on others, nothing loath. 

Both have their ties, and both incline. 

When poHshed in the world to shine : 

And both peg out — and would you choose 

To be a man or be his shoes ? 



Little Things. 

One step and then another, 

And the longest walk is ended ; 
One stitch and then another. 

And the largest rent is mended ; 
One brick upon another, 

And the highest wall is made ; 
One flake upon another. 

And the deepest snow is laid. 

So the little coral workers. 

By their slow but constant motion, 
Have built up those pretty islands. 

In the distant, dark blue ocean ; 
And the noblest undertakings 

Man's wisdom hath conceived, 
By oft repeated effort 

Have been patiently achieved. 



78 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

A little— 'tis a little word, 

But much may in it dwell ; 
Then let a warning voice be heard, 

And learn the lesson well ; 
The way to ruin thus begins, 

Down, down like easy stairs ; 
If conscience suffers little sins, 

Soon larger ones it bears. 

A little theft, a small deceit, 

Too often leads to more ; 
'Tis hard at first, but tempts the feet, 

As through an open door. 
Just as the broadest rivers run 

From small and distant springs. 
The greatest crimes that men have done 

Have grown from little things. 



Be Firm. 

When you make a promise 

Keep it like a rock ; 
Never swerve from duty ; 

Let the cowards mock. 
When you answer " No ! " be strong. 

Truth will drive away the wrong. 

Those who first despised you, 

By-and-by will praise, 
When they find you honest 

In your words and ways. 
Though your path be often crossed. 
Keep your word at any cost. 



TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Only One. 

[George Cooper.] 

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky ; 

Hundreds of shells on the shore together ; 
Hundreds of birds that go singing by ; 

Hundreds of bees in the sunny weather. 

Hundreds of dew-drops to greet the dawn ; 

Hundreds of lambs in the purple clover ; 
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn ; 

But only one mother the wide world over. 



A Boy's Plea. 

[For Recitation.] 

They say that boys 

Make all the noise, 
And that the girls are quiet : 

If girls were boys, 

I know their joys 
Would only be in riot. 

I know we oft, 
When mud is soft, 

Forget to use the door-mats : 
We go ''all fours," 
We slam the doors. 

We use our hats like brick-bats. 

Perhaps we may 
Some sunny day. 
Attempt to tease the girls. 



80 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

To eat their cake, 
And faces make, 
Or pull their dangling curls. 

But then you know, 

When we do so 
It's only just in fun, 

For when we will, 

We can be still, 
As almost any one. 

But let them say, 

Whate'er they may 
About our dreadful noise, 

For errands done. 

Some one to run. 
They're glad to find ' ' the boys. " 



\ 



A Sleepy Little School. 

A funny old professor kept a school for little boys, 

And he'd romp with them in play-time, and he wouldn't mind 

their noise ; 
While in his little school-room, with its head against the wall, 
Was a bed of such proportions it was big enough for all. 

^* It's for tired little pupils," he explained, ^' for you will find 
How very wrong indeed it is to force a budding mind ; 
Whenever one grows sleepy and he can't hold up his head, 
I make him lay his primer down and send him off to bed ! 

And sometimes it will happen on a warm and pleasant day. 
When the little birds upon the trees go tooral-looral-lay. 
When wide-awake and studious it's difficult to keep. 
One by one they'll get a-nodding till the whole class is asleep I' 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 81 

Then before they're all in dreamland and their funny snores 

begin, 
I close the shutters softly so the sunlight can't come in ; 
After which I put the school-books in their order on the shelf, 
And with nothing else to do, I take a little nap myself !" 

— Malcolm Douglass, in St. Nicholas for March. 



Old Sayings. 

As poor as a church mouse, as thin as a rail ; 
As fat as a porpoise, as rough as a gale ; 
As brave as a Hon, as spry as a cat ; 
As bright as a sixpence, as weak as a rat. 

As proud as a peacock, as sly as a fox ; 
As mad as a March hare, as strong as an ox i 
As fair as a hly, as empty as air ; 
As rich as Croesus, as cross as a bear. 

As pure as an angel, as neat as a pin ; 
As smart as a steel trap, as ugly as sin ; 
As dead as a door-nail, as white as a sheet ; 
As flat as a pan-cake, as red as a beet. 

As round as an apple, as black as your hat ; 
As brown as a berry, as blind as a bat ; 
As mean as a miser, as full as a tick ; 
As plump as a partridge, as sharp as a stick. 

As clean as a penny, as dark as a pall ; 
As hard as a mill-stone, as bitter as gall ; 
As fine as a fiddle, as clear as a bell ; 
As dry as a herring, as deep as a well. 
11 



82 ' TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE EOLKS. 

As light as a feather, as firm as a rock ; 
As stiff as a poker, as calm as a clock ; 
As green as a gosling, as brisk as a bee ; 
And now let me stop, lest you weary of me. 



Be in Time. 

Be in time for every call ; 
If you can, be first of all ; 

Be in time. 
If your teachers only find 
You are never once behind, 
But are like the dial, true. 
They will always trust to you ; 

Be in time. 

Never linger ere you start, 
Set out with a willing heart ; 

Be in time. 
In the morning up and on, 
First to work and soonest done ; 
This is how the goal's attained ; 
This is how the prize is gained ; 

Be in time. 

Those who aim at something great 
Never yet were found too late ; 

Be in time. 
Life with all is but a school ; 
We must work by plan and rule. 
Ever steady, earnest, true. 
Whatsoever you may do. 

Be in time. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 83 

Listen, then, to wisdom's call — 
Knowledge now is free to all ; 

Be in time. 
Youth must daily toil and strive, 
Treasure for the future hive. 
For the work they have to do 
Keep this motto still in view — 

Be in time. 



Diplomacy. 

** There never was a grandma half so good!" 
He whispered, wliile beside her chair he stood, 

And laid his rosy cheek, 

With manner very meek, 
Against her dear old face in loving mood. 

^ ' There never was a nicer grandma born I 
I know some little boys must be forlorn 

Because they've none like you ; 

I wonder what I'd do 
Without a grandma's kisses night and morn ? 

** There never was a dearer grandma — there !" 

He kissed her and he smoothed her snow-white hair ; 

Then fixed her ruffled cap, 

And nestled in her lap ; 
While grandma, smihng, rocked her old arm-chair. 

*^ Wlien I'm a man, what lots to you I'll bring ; 
A horse and carriage, and a watch and ring ; 

All grandmas are so nice ! 

( Just here he kissed her twice ) 
And grandmas give a boy most anything." 



84 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Before his dear old grandma could reply, 
This boy looked up, and with a roguish eye. 

Then whispered in her ear. 

That nobody might hear, 
** Say, grandma, have you any more mince pie?" 

— New Moon, 



For Memorizing. 

["It takes two to make a quarrel, and two to keep it g^oing; it only 
needs one to end it."] 

Two ears and only one mouth have you ; 

The reason, I think, is clear : 
It teaches, my child, that it will not do 

To talk about all you hear. 

Two eyes and only one mouth have you ; 

The reason for this must be, 
That you should learn that it will not do. 

To talk about all you see. 

Two hands and only one mouth have you ; 

And it is worth while repeating : 
The two are for work you will have it to do — 

The one is enough for eating. 



The Donation Party. 

They carried pie to the parson's house. 
And scattered the floor with crumbs, 

And marked the leaves of his choicest books 
With prints of their greasy thumbs. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE EOLKS. 85 

They piled his dishes high and thick 

With a lot of unhealthy cake, 
While they gobbled the buttered toast and rolls, 

Which the parson's wife did make. 

They hung around Clytie's classic neck 

Their apple parings in sport, 
And every one laughed when a clumsy lout 

Spilled his tea on the pianoforte. 

Next day the parson went down on his knees, 

With his wife — but not to pray. 
Oh, no, 'twas to scrape the grease and dirt 

From the carpet and stairs away. 



An Introduction Speech. 

Kind friends and patrons here to-day 

We're glad to see you all. 
We'll try this kindness to repay, 

Although we know we're smaU. 

We're small and yet we feel quite big, 
But don't expect too much ; 

Some people judge folks of their rig, 
But we don't care for such. 

We're here to have a jolly time 
And help our school along, 

And those who cannot make a rhyme 
Will have to sing a song. 

Don't be too prim, and don't be rough, 
Just have a pleasant meeting. 

But I have spoken long enough 
To give you all a greeting. 



86 TIP TOP PIECES EOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

Boys Wanted. 

Boys of spirit, boys of will, 
Boys of muscle, brain and power, 

Fit to cope with anything — 
These are wanted every hour. 

Not the weak and whining drones 
That all trouble magnify ; 

Not the watchword of '* I can't," 
But the nobler one, '' I'll try." 

Do whate'er you have to do 
With a true and earnest zeal ; 

Bend your sinews to the task, 
Put your shoulder to the wheel. 

At the anvil or the farm. 
Wheresoever you may be — 

From your future efforts, boys. 
Comes a nation's destiny. 



Mind Cure. 

Think Health, and Health will find you 

As certain as the day, 
And pain will lag behind you 

And lose you on the way. 

Think Love, and Love will meet you 

And go where'er you go, 
And Fate can no more treat you 

Like some malicious foe. 

Think Joy, and Joy will hear you. 
For thoughts are always heard. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 87 

And it shall nestle near you 
Like some contented bird. 

Whate'er your sad condition — 

Whate'er your woes or pains — 
Bright thoughts shall bring fruition 

As surely as God reigns. 



Bojs^ Keep Your Record Cleau/^ 

[Last words of John B. Gough.] 

^' Boys, keep your record clean." 

The lips of the speaker are mute, 
But his words are still warning the boys 

To stop in their mad pursuit ; 
To stop, I say, in their mad pursuit 

Of wealth and honor and fame. 
To think of the devious winding ways 

By which they shall reach the same. 

** Boys, keep your record clean," 

Your lips unstained by sin ; 
Your Ups as the hlies are, 

And a heart as pure within, 
Fair as the virgin snow, 

Spotless and undefiled. 
Though around you the world is bright, 

Or the pitiless storms beat wild. 

As you go out into the world, 

Go with a purpose true, 
Go with a sturdy, resolute will ; 

Be one of the manly few. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE POLKS. 

Ever do that which is right, 
Scorn to do that which is mean, 

And as you go through peace and strife, 
*' B^ys, keep your record clean." 



Let the Sunshine In. 

Alone in a hut lived a cross old man. 

He was little, and pale and thin, 
And his home was shut up like a patent can. 

Lest the sunshine should get in. 
It was always musty and dark in there, 

And darker and mustier grew. 
And he shut up his heart — this cross old bear. 

From the human sunshine too. 
If you want your home to be sweet and bright, 

You must open blind and door, 
So that warm and cheering the blessed light 

Into every part may pour. 
And unless you want your heart ta be 

All buried in selfish sin. 

Just open it wide to humanity 

And let the sunshine in, 

— Flax Blossom. 



Blow^ Wind^ Blow. 

Now the snow is on the ground, 
And the frost is on the glass ; 

Now the brook in ice is bound 
And the great storms rise and pass. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOE LITTLE FOLKS. 89 

Bring the thick, gray cloud ; 

Toss the flakes of snow ; 
Let your voice be hoarse and loud, 

And blow, wind, blow ! 

When our day in school is done 

Out we come with you to play ; 
You are rough, but full of fun. 

And we boys have learned your way. 
All your cuffs and slaps 

Mean no harm, we know ; 
Try to snatch our coats and caps, 

And blow, wind, blow ! 

You have sent the flowers to bed ; 

Cut the leaves from off the trees ; 
From your blast the birds have fled ; 

Now you do what you may please. 
Yes ; but by and by 

Spring will come, we know. 
Spread your clouds, then, wide and high. 

And blow, wind, blow. 
-Euclora S. Buvistead, in St. Nicholas for December. 



A Poem without an E. 

John Kjiox was a wight of wondrous might, 

And his words ran high and shrill, 
For bold and stout was his spirit bright, 

And strong was his stalwart will. 
Kings sought in vain his mind to chain, 

And that giant brain to control, 
But naught on plain or stormy main 

Could daunt that mighty soul. 



90 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

John would sit and sigh till morning cold 

Its shining lamps put out, 
For thoughts untold on his mind laid hold, 

And brought but pain and doubt. 
But light at last on his soul was cast. 

Away sank pain and sorrow, 
His soul is gay in a fair to-day, 

And looks for a bright to-morrow. 



Learn a Little Every Day. 

Little rills make wider streamlets, 

Streamlets swell the rivers' flow ; 
Rivers join the mountain billows. 

Onward, onward as they go ! 
Life is made of smallest fragments. 

Shade and sunshine, work and play; 
So we may with greatest profit, 

Learn a little every day. 

Tiny seeds make countless harvests. 

Drops of rain compose the showers. 
Seconds make the flying minutes, 

And the minutes make the hours ! 
Let us hasten, then, and catch them 

As they pass us on the way ! 
And with honest, true endeavor, 

Learn a little every day. 

Let us read some striking passage ; 

Cull a verse from every page ; 
Here a line, and there a sentence, 

'Gainst the lonely time of age ! 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 91 

At our work or by the wayside, 

While the sunshine's making hay ; 
Then we may, by help of study. 

Learn a little every day. 



Our Daily Reckoning. 

If you sit down at set of sun 

And count the acts that you have done, 

And, counting, find 
One self-denying act, one word. 
That eased the heart of him that heard, 

One glance most kind. 
That fell like sunshine where it went. 
Then you may count that day well spent. 

But, if through all the livelong day 
You've cheered no heart by yea or nay ; 

If through it all, 
You've nothing done that you can trace, 
That brought the sunshine to one face ; 

No act most small, 
That helped some soul, and nothing cost. 
Then count that day as worse than lost ! 



Reminding the Hen. 

[ Bessie Chandler in St. Nicholas.] 

**It's well I ran into the garden," 

Said Eddie, his face all aglow ; 
** For what do you think, mamma, happened ? 

You never will guess it, I know. 



92 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE POLKS. 

The little brown hen was there clucking ; 

* Cut — cut ! ' she'd say, quick as a wink, 
Then * cut — cut ! ' again — only slower — 

And then she would stop short and think. 
And then she would say it all over — 

She did look so mad and so vext — 
For, mamma, do you know she'd forgotten 

The word that she ought to cluck next. 
So I said * ca-da/i-cut ! ca-da/i-cut ! ' 

As loud and as strong as I could ; 
And she looked 'round at me very thankful — 

I tell you it made her feel good ! 
Then she flapped, and said ^ cut-cut-ca-da/i-cut ! ' 

She remembered just how it went then ; 
But it's well I ran in the garden — 

She might never have clucked right again." 



The Boy for Me. 

[For Recitation.] 

His cap is old, but his hair is gold, 

And his face is as clear as the sky. 
And whoever he meets, on lanes or streets, 

He looks them straight in the eye. 
With a fearless pride that has naught to hide, 

Though he bows like a little knight. 
Quite debonaire, to a lady fair. 

With a smile that is swift as light. 

Does his mother call, not a kite or ball, 

Or the prettiest game, can stay 
His eager feet as he hastens to greet 

Whatever she means to say. 



TIP TOiP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 93 

And the teachers depend on the little friend 

At school in his place at nine, 
With his lessons learned and his good marks earned, 

All ready to toe the line. 

I wonder if you have seen him too, 

This boy, who is not too big 
For a morning kiss from mother and sis. 

Who isn't a bit of a prig, 
But gentle and strong, and the whole day long 

As happy as happy can be, 

A gentleman, dears, in the coming years, 

And at present the boy for me ! 

— The Fountain, 



Temperance. 

Some people laugh and wonder 

What little boys can do 
To help this temperance thunder 

Roll all the big world through ; 
I'd have them look behind them 

When they were small, and then 
I'd just like to remind them 

That little boys make men. 

The bud becomes a flower. 

The acorn grows a tree, 
The minutes make the hour — 

'Tis just the same with me. 
I'm small, but I am growing 

As quickly as I can ; 
And a temperance boy Uke me is found 

To make a temp'rance man. 



-Little Poems, 



94 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

A Quarrel. 

There's a knowing little proverb, 

From the sunny land of Spain ; 
But in Northland, as in Southland, 

Is its meaning clear and plain. 
Lock it up within your heart ; 

Neither lose nor lend it — 
Two it takes to make a quarrel ; 

One can always end it. 

Try it well in every way, 

Still you'll find it true, 
In a fight without a foe, 

Pray what could you do ? 
If the wrath is yours alone, 

Soon you will expend it — 
Two it takes to make a quarrel ; 

One can always end it. 

Let's suppose that both are wroth. 

And the strife begun, 
If one voice shall cry for ** Peace," 

Soon it will be done. 
But if one shall span the breach. 

He will quickly mend it — 
Two it takes to make a quarrel ; 

One can always end it. 



''W^ Nothing to Me/' 

'' It's nothing to me," the mother said ; 

*^ I have no fears that my boy will tread 
The downward path of sin and shame. 
And crush my heart, and darken his name." 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 95 

It was something to her when her only son 
From the path of right was early won, 
And madly cast in the flowing bowl 
A ruined body and a shipwrecked soul. 

•*' It's nothing to me," the young man cried ; 

In his eyes was a flash of scorn and pride ; 
' ' I heed not the dreadful things you tell ; 

I can rule myself, I know full well." 

'Twas something to him when in prison he lay, 
The victim of drink— life ebbing away. 
As he thought of his wretched child and wife, 
And the mournful wreck of his wasted life. 

" It's nothing to me," the voter said ; 
' The party's loss is my greatest dread. 
Then he gave his vote for the liquor trade, 
Though hearts were crushed and drunkards made. 

It was something to him in after life. 
When his daughter became a drunkard's wife. 
And her hungry children cried for bread. 
And trembled to hear their father's tread. 



Adyice. 

Do thy little, do it well, * 
Do what right and reason tell ; 
Do thy little, God has made 
Million leaves for forest shade ; 
Smallest stars their glory bring, 
God employeth everything. 
All the little thou hast done. 
Little battles thou has won, 



96 TIP TOP PIECES EOE LITTLE FOLKS. 

Little masteries achieved, 
Little wants with care relieved, 
Little words in love expressed. 
Little wrongs at once confessed, 
Little favors kindly done. 
Little toils thou didst not shun, 
Little graces meekly worn. 
Little slights with patience borne, — 
These are treasures that shall rise 
Far beyond the smiling skies. 



i 



What Small Things May Do. 

The smallest crust may save a human life ; 
The smallest act may lead to human strife ; 
The smallest touch may cause the body pain ; 
The smallest spark may fire a field of grain ; 
The smallest deed may tell the truly brave ; 
The smallest skill may serve a life to save ; 
The smallest drop the thirsty may relieve ; 
The slightest shock may make a heart to grieve.. 
Naught is so small that it may not contain 
The rose of pleasure or the thorn of pain. 



1 



Aspiration. 

[ By Lucy Agnes Hayes] 

Wrens cannot soar like eagles, 
A wren is but a wren ; 

Though like to wrens or eagles 
Can be the souls of men. 



TIP TOP PIECES EOK LITTLE FOLKS. 97 

Then, little lads and lasses, 

Pray heed the words I sing — 
In you a wren is prisoned 

Who owns an eagle's wing. 

— Treasure Trove, 



Boy Heroes. 

Here's to the boy who has courage to say 
'' No ! " when he's tempted, and turn straight away 
From temptation and tempter and do what is right. 
Such boys are heroes, who'll win in the fight. 

Here's to the boy who is willing to work, 
And, if he could, not a duty would shirk ; 
Doing his best at his work or his play — 
Such boys will do to depend on, I say. 

Here's to the boy who's determined to be 
Man among men. If he lives, you'll see, 
Sooner or later he conquers the hill. 
Winning his way by his courage and will. 

Here's to the boys who will dare and will do. 
Truthful and trusty, and steadfastly true ; 
Boys who aim high, and are striving to make 
Men of themselves for true manhood's sake. 



A Toast. 



13 



** The great public schools. 

May their influence spread. 
Till statesmen use grammar 
And dunces are dead ! 



98 TIP TOP PIECES POR LITTLE POLKS* 

Till no one dare say, 
In^this land of the free, 

' I done ' for a did,' 

Or ' it's her ' for ' it's she.' " 



Good Adyice. 

The sweetest cherries, mind you, lad. 

Grow highest on the tree ; 
And would you win the fairest fruit, 

One thing I'll say to thee : 
It falls not at the clinking gay 

Of any idler's pelf — 
You'll have to cUmb the rugged tree. 

And gather for yourself. 



Der SpMder und der Fly. 

[Charles Follen Adams. J 

I reads in Yawcob's shtory book, 

A couple veeks ago. 
Von firsd rade boem, vot I dinks 

Der beoples all should know. 
I'd ask dis goot connundhrum, too, 

Vich ve should profit by : 
Vill you indo mine parlor valk ? 

Said de sphider off der fly. 

Dot set me dinking righdt avay ; 

Und vhen von afdernoon, 
A shbeculator he cooms in, 

Und dells me pooty soon. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 99 

He haf a sUfer mine to sell, 

Und ask me eef I puy, 
I dink off der oxberience 

Off dot plue-pottle fly. 

Der Oder day, vhen on der cars 

I vent py Nie Yorck oudt, 
I meets a fraulein on der train, 

Who dold me, mit a pout, 
She likes der Deutscher shentlemens, 

Und dells me sit peside her — 
I says : *' Mine friendt, I vas no fly, 

Eef you vas been a sphider." 

I vent indo der shmoking car, 

Vhere dhey vas blaying boker, 
Und also haf somedings dhey calls 

Der funny " leedle joker." 
Some money id vas shanging hands, 

Dhey vanted me to try — 
I says : ** You vas too brevious ; 

I don't vas peen a fly ! " 

On Central Park a shmardt young man 

Says : '* Strauss, how vas you peen ? 
Und take me kindly by the hand, 

Und ask off mine Katrine. 
He vants to shange a feefty bill, 

Und say hees name vas Sclineider — 
Maybe, berhaps he was all righdt ; 

More hke he vas a shpider. 

Mosd efry day some shvindling chap, 

He dries hees leedle game ; 
I cuts me out dot shpider biece, 

Und poot id in a frame ; 



100 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Eighdt in mine shtore I hangs id oup, 

Und near it, on der shly, 
I geeps a glub, to send gvick oudt 

Dhose shpiders, " on der fly." 



A Little Study in Anatomy^ 

How many bones in the human face ? 
Fourteen when they're all in place. 
How many bones in the human head ? 
Eight my child, as I've often said. 
How many bones in the human ear ? 
Four in each, and they help to hear. 
How many bones in the human spine ? 
Twenty-four, like a climbing vine. 
How many bones in the human chest ? 
Twenty-four ribs, and two of the rest. 
How many bones the shoulders bind ? 
Two in each — one before, one behind. 
How many bones in the human arm ? 
In each arm one ; two in each forearm. 
How many bones in the human wrist ? 
Eight in each, if none are missed. 
How many bones in the palm of the hand ? 
Five in each, with many a band. 
How many bones in the fingers ten ? 
Twenty-eight, and by joints they bend. 
How many bones in the human hip ? 
One in each ; like a dish they dip. 
How many bones in the human thigh ? 
One in each, and deep they lie. 
How many bones in the human knees ? 
One in each, the kneepan, please. 



TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 101 

How many bones in the leg from the knee ? 

Two in each, we can plainly see. 

How many bones in the ankle strong ? 

Seven in each, but none are long. 

How many bones in the ball of the foot ? 

Five in each as the palms are put. 

How many bones in the toes, half a score ? 

Twenty-eight, and there are no more. 

And now altogether these many bones wait, 

And they count in the body, two hundred and eight. 

And then we have the human mouth. 

Of upper and under, thirty-two teeth. 

And now and then have a bone, I should think, 

That forms on a joint or to fill up a chink — 

A Sesamoid bone or a Wormian, we call. 

And now we may rest, for we've told them all. 



The Best Beauty. 

I know a little fellow 

Whose face is fair to see, 
But still there's nothing pleasant 

About that face to me. 
For he's rude and cross and selfish 

If he can't have his own way, 
And he's always making trouble, 

I've heard his mother say. 

I know a little fellow 
Whose face is plain to see. 

But that we never think of, 
So kind and brave is he. 



102 TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE POLKS. 

He carries sunshine with him, 

And everybody's glad 
To hear the cheery whistle 

Of the pleasant little lad. 

You see it's not the features 

That others judge us by, 
But what we do, I tell you. 

And what you can't deny. 
The plainest face has beauty 

If it's owner's kind and true. 
And that's the kind of beauty. 

My girl and boy, for you. 



-Golden Days. 



Recitation for a Small Boy. 

To the audience in front : 

You think I do not dare to talk 

Because I am so little, 
But every boy must learn to walk 
Before he learns to whittle. 

To the audience at the right : 

When httle Henry Clay was young. 

He was afraid and bashful. 
But when he learned to use his tongue 
He used it very rashful. 

To the audience at the left : 

When Daniel Webster first began 

He could not speak a letter. 
But when he grew to be a man, 

He did a good deal better. 






TIP TOP PIECES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 103 

To teacher or chairman on platform : 

So every boy should do his best, 

No matter where he stands, sir ; 
And now I think I'll take a rest, 
And let you clap your hands, sir. 

— Eugene F, Hall, 



The Ambitious Kangaroo. 

They held a great meeting a king to select, 

And the kangaroo rose in a dignified way, 
And said, '* I'm the one you should surely elect, 

For I can outleap every beast here to-day." 
Said the eagle, *^ How high can you climb toward the sky?' 

Said the nightingale, *' Favor us, please, with a song !" 
Said the hawk, '^ Let us measure our powers of eye I" 

Said the lion, *' Come wrestle, and prove you are strong ! " 
But the kangaroo said, *' It would surely be best, 

In our choice of a king, to make leaping the test ! " 

— A, R, Wells in St. Nicholas for September, 



George Washington. 

[ A recitation for five small boys. Let each boy hold in his right hand 
a card with date, lifting it high during his recitation.] 

1732. In seventeen hundred thirty-two 
George Washington was born ; 
Truth, goodness, skill and glory high, 
His whole hf e did adorn. 

1775. In seventeen hundred seventy-five 
The chief command he took 
Of all the army in the state, 
Who ne'er his flag forsook. 



104 TIP TOP PIECES EOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

1783. In seventeen hundred eighty-three, 
Retired to private life ; 
He saw his much-loved country free 
From battle and from strife. 

1789. In seventeen hundred eighty-nine 
The country with one voice 
Proclaimed him President to shine, 
Blessed by the people's choice. 

1799. In seventeen hundred ninety-nine 
The Nation's tears were shed 
To see the Patriot life resign. 
And sleep among the dead. 

All, — As ^^ first in war and first in peace," 

As patriot, father, friend — 

He will be blessed till time shall cease. 

And earthly life shall end. 

— Infanta, 



Easter Grreeting. 

May the glad dawn 
Of Easter morn 
Bring holy joy to thee ! 

May the calm eve 

Of Easter leave 

A peace divine with thee ! 

May Easter day 

To thine heart say, 

*^ Christ died and rose for thee ! " 

May Easter night 

On thine heart write, 

*'0 Christ, I live to Thee!" 



I 



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